STORRS, Conn. - Maude Blain (Magog, Que.), Taylor Gross (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Kelly Horan (Methuen, Mass.) each scored their first goals of the season as the University of Connecticut women's ice hockey team defeated Clarkson 3-1 this afternoon in the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum. With the win the Huskies are now 1-1-0 on the season, while Clarkson falls to 0-3-0.
Blain scored UConn's first goal of the game just over two minutes into the second period, putting the puck into the top right corner of the net on a UConn power play, giving the Huskies the 1-0 lead. Sami Evelyn (Nepean, Ont.) and Ali Vakos (Hamden, Conn.) were credited with the assists, after Evelyn found Vakos on the right wall and crossed the puck over the blue line to Blain.
The Huskies would take a 2-0 lead at the end of the second period when Gross was able to flip a rebounded shot into the right side of the net, with Blain and Jennifer Chaisson (Cumberland, Ont.) earning the assists.
After holding the Golden Knights scoreless through two periods, Clarkson was finally able to get on the board when Juana Baribeau put a loose puck past Alexandra Garcia (Pointe-Claire, Que.), bringing the score to 2-1 with 18 minutes left in the final period.
With thirty seconds left, Clarkson pulled their goalie for the extra attacker, but UConn was able to capitalize on the empty net when Horan scored an unassisted goal, putting the puck into the net with a shot from the red line for the 3-1 Husky victory.
UConn held Clarkson to just six shots during their three power plays, including just one shot on their first power play of the game.
The Huskies and the Golden Knights were even in shots throughout the game, with Clarkson holding the slight 35-34 advantage in the end.
Garcia recorded the win for the Huskies after posting a season-high 34 saves, which is also just one shy of her career-high.
The Huskies return to action tomorrow (Oct. 10) when they host St. Lawrence at 1:00 p.m. in the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum.