Freshman Britney Selina (Thornhill, ONT) led a high-powered offensive effort with her second career hat trick and one assist as the Clarkson University Women’s Hockey team broke out of a three-game losing skid with a convincing 8-1 win over Union College at Cheel Arena Friday night.
The Golden Knights, who improved their record to 14-9-2 overall and to 6-6-1 in the ECAC Hockey League, will host conference newcomer Rensselaer on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
After scoring just three goals combined in the losing slump, Clarkson regained its scoring touch early against Union (4-17, 0-13) with three first-period goals.
Selina opened the scoring just 2:02 after the initial faceoff, converting off an assist from sophomore defenseman Kimberly McKenney (Smiths Falls, ONT). Senior Ashley Shaidle (Hudson, OH) scored at 16:22 with classmate Christina Valesente (Ithaca, NY) and sophomore defenseman Courtney O’Connor (Chicago, IL) assisting. With 49 seconds remaining in the first, Selina connected for her second shorthanded goal of the year to complete a dominating opening 20 minutes for the Green and Gold.
Clarkson continued to roll in the middle frame, outscoring Union 4-1 in the stanza to hold a 7-1 advantage through 40 minutes.
The Knights’ leading scorer, freshman Genevieve Lavoie (St. Laurent, QUE) netted her 18th goal of the season one minute into the period. Rookie defenseman Carlee Eusepi (Oakville, ONT) followed with her third collegiate goal at 4:51 with McKenney recording her second assist of the game on Clarkson’s fifth goal. Junior Amanda Dittmer (Chatham, ONT) made it 6-0 on her first goal of the season with Lavoie and senior Christine Bailkowski (Aurora, ONT) assisting at 8:35.
Union spoiled the Knights’ shutout bid with Elise Nichols’ goal at 14:45. With 1:32 remaining in the second, the Knights’ all-time leading scorer, Shaidle, tallied her second goal of the game, seventh of the season and 47th career marker with a shorthanded effort. Selina set up Clarkson’s fifth shortie of the year.
Selina closed out the game with her 10th goal of the season, an unassisted power-play marker with 10 seconds left.
Clarkson, which won its sixth straight over Union, out shot the Dutchwomen 47-11. Senior Stephanie Hansen (Calgary, ALB) improved her record to 11-2 by stopping all seven shots she faced. Senior Kira Hurley (Pickering, ONT) made three saves on four shots over the final half of the contest. The Knights went 1-of-7 on the power play and killed off all six Union man-advantage chances.
