Two second half goals helped the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team defeat Utica College 3-1 on Friday afternoon on Hantz Turf Field in the coaching debut of Kelsey Yam.

Clarkson starts the season off with a 1-0 record while Utica drops to 0-1.

Clarkson opened the scoring early as Lauren Flynn scored the first goal of the season just 6:51 into the game. Courtney Black slipped a pass through to Flynn who calmly finished into the bottom corner. It is the second year in a row that Flynn has scored in the season opener.

Utica wasted little time getting back in the game. Just two minutes and 31 seconds after falling behind, the Pioneers were again level. Keri Berkowitz passed to Ciara McIlvenny who drove a hard, low shot across the goal and into the bottom right corner of the net.

Clarkson continued to apply pressure to the Utica defense, outshooting the Pioneers 12-2 in the first half. It was not until the second half though, that the Golden Knights regained the lead. Camryn Careccia dribbled into the Utica box and was taken down by a defender, giving Clarkson a penalty kick. Flynn stepped up to take it and placed a shot into the corner, well out of the reach of the goalkeeper.

Clarkson added an insurance goal with six minutes remaining. Off a Paige Spittler free kick, Flynn directed a header to the feet of Careccia who was all alone in the Utica penalty area. Before a Utica defender could reach her, Careccia shot into the far post for her first collegiate goal.

Clarkson finished with a staggering 21-3 edge in shots and took six corners to Utica's one. Elyse Green made one save in her college debut for Clarkson while Jamie Enders and Kimberly Beattie split the game for Utica, making four and two saves respectively.

Clarkson will play host to Rutgers-Newark tomorrow in a 2:30 pm game while Utica will finish its North Country trip by playing St. Lawrence