Knights host Syracuse women in second game of hockey series

Returning to Potsdam for its second game against Syracuse University in their home-and-home, non-conference series over the past two weekends, a youthful Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team is beginning to reach its potential. Guided by third-year co-head coaches Matt and Shannon Desrosiers, and assistant coach Matt Kelly, the Golden Knights own a three-game winning streak and have gone 4-2-1 since mid October.

The Knights face off against Syracuse at Cheel Arena on Friday at 3:00 p.m.

In honor of Veterans Day on Thursday, the Clarkson University Athletic Department will be holding a “SUPPORT OUR TROOPS” weekend at Cheel Arena. Fans attending the Golden Knights Men’s and Women’s Hockey games this weekend are asked to bring an item to donate in support of our troops overseas.

The only blemishes on Clarkson’s record since October 16 are a pair of one-goal losses on the road against nationally-ranked foes. The Green and Gold defeated Syracuse 3-2 last Friday in central NY after downing Union (3-0) and Rensselaer (2-1) in Potsdam on October 29-30 to begin ECAC Hockey play. The Knights last suffered defeat when they were swept in New England by New Hampshire (2-1) and Boston University (3-2) on October 22-23. Clarkson owns a 4-6-1 overall record and is 2-0-0 in ECAC Hockey play.

Three different Golden Knights scored goals and senior goaltender Lauren Dahm (Baldwinsville, NY) played a solid game in front of a hometown crowd as Clarkson edged Syracuse in the first ever meeting between the two schools. Senior Melissa Waldie (Newmarket, ONT), with her 55th career goal, and juniors Juana Baribeau (Amos, QUE) and Kali Gillanders (Kyle, SASK) provided the offense as the Knights picked up their first win of the season against a non-ECAC Hockey opponent.

Baribeau, who is working on a six-game point-scoring streak, leads Clarkson in scoring with eight points on three goals and five assists through 11 games. Baribeau is looking to become the next Golden Knight to reach the century mark with 78 career points (39-39) through 87 career games.

After scoring just one goal as a rookie, Danielle Skirrow (Trenton, ONT) has tallied a team-high five goals in her sophomore campaign. Waldie, who has 101 career points, has tallied three goals and one assist this season. Sophomore defenseman Hailey Wood (Lethbridge, ALB) has enjoyed a solid effort on the blueline along with a productive showing offensively with one goal and three assists. Junior Brittany Mulligan (London, ONT) and freshman Jamie Lee Rattray (Kanata, ONT) have posted four assists each.

Dahm has seen the bulk of the action in the Clarkson crease, starting nine of the 11 games. She posts a .922 save percentage, a 2.53 goals against average and a 3-5-1 record. Freshman Erica Howe (Ottawa, ONT) has played in parts of four games, with two starts, and holds a .921 save percentage, a 1.81 GAA and one shutout.

Syracuse, guided by former St. Lawrence head coach Paul Flanagan, owns a 4-5-1 overall record. In their third-year as an NCAA program, the Orange are member of the College Hockey America conference. Syracuse is looking to break out of a three-game losing skid

The Orange are led in scoring by Isabel Menard (7-9) and Julie Rising (5-9), who have posted 16 and 14 points, respectively through 10 games.

Jenesica Drinkwater and Kallie Billadeau have shared the Syracuse goaltending duties, playing five games apiece.