Women's Preview

Good news for Clarkson fans. The toughest part of the schedule looks like it's over. Sure it's odd to say that after just six games, but it's true. The Golden Knight women head out to New Jersey and Connecticut to face Princeton and the Q in a couple of crucial conference games this weekend.

Clarkson's schedule had them facing some of the toughest competition in the country the past two weeks. A set against #4 Mercyhurst where they came away with a tie two weeks ago, and then a sweep at the hands of arch-rival #3 St. Lawrence last weekend, despite a highly competitive effort, in particular at Appleton Friday Night where they fell 3-1.

Now just because I say the toughest part of the schedule is over, doesn't mean that the competition is pitiful and weak, but there are a LOT of L's on the column in the ECACHL with the exception of the undefeated Saints at 6-0-0.

Princeton, they've got Clarkson's number over the past year, and they're as solid as any other ECACHL team. But they haven't skated competitively more than a couple times this season, and a Clarkson team that is learning to work together has a real shot to finally take one from the Tigers. Newly anointed arch-rival Harvard awaits next week as the Knights look to exact a little revenge for last year's crushing playoff defeat, and their traveling partner Dartmouth is always a strong team in the conference (although they were swept by Mercyhurst last week.)

Clarkson will face the Tigers who are 1-0-1 after their opening weekend where they took out Quinnipiac 6-3, and tied Boston College 2-2. Five of Princeton's six top scorers return this year lead by Senior forward Kim Pearce who had 11 goals and 30 assists last season. Sophomore Annie Greenwood appeared to be the recipient of a lot of those helpers tallying 25 goals and 9 assists. Sophomore Kristen Young has the huge task of filling the skates of Roxanne Gaudiel. She has all of the time in net for the Tigers with a 2.40 GAA and a .918 Save Pct in the first games of the season.

On Saturday, they'll head over to face the Q who are coming off of a 6-3 loss to Princeton and a 5-2 win over Northeastern. Quinnipiac has also chosen the route of the ridiculously tough opening schedule, opening up the season facing defending national champ Wisconsin (twice), Boston College, and Princeton in a five game span. Quinnipiac is still dealing with the growing pains of jumping into the ECAC, but have a promising group of sophomores currently lead in scoring by Hayley McMeekin who should form a strong nucleus for the future. Senior Vicky Graham who lead the Bobcats with 24 points last season has yet to tally a point. Senior Laura Brennan has seen the bulk of the time in goal for the Bobcats. She has a 4.41 GAA and a .865 Save pct. Against some of the best in the nation.

Last weekend Clarkson defenseman Katie Morrison was the only player who was able to put one into the back of the net against SLU. Britney Selina continues to be a regular on the scoring sheet adding an assist along with Brooke Beazer. Selina now leads the team in scoring with three goals and five assists. All but one Golden Knight skater has a point this year after six games. Kira Hurley had a tough weekend giving up eight goals on 59 shots to St. Lawrence. Clarkson needs Hurley more than ever against Princeton this weekend to help the rest of the squad regain their confidence.

Despite the score sheet last weekend, the Knights appeared to play a much more disciplined game. They gave up only one power-play goal to the Saints on the weekend, and managed to significantly cut down time on the PK. While they were held to 14 shots on Friday, they outshot St. Lawrence on Saturday. Clarkson will need to remain disciplined, and take advantage of a team that has not competed together much this season, by either piling the shots on net, or generating premium scoring chances whichever way they can break the goalies first. Their game should overpower Quinnipiac unless the Bobcat D can really buckle down. Those heading to Princeton should be in for a great back and forth game.

Clarkson 6, Quinnipiac 2
Clarkson 2, Princeton 1