Clarkson Caps Off Banner Day With 2-1 Win Over SLU

Amanda Titus celebrates her first career goal to give Clarkson the early lead against St.Lawrence - photo by Jim Meagher

Box Score
All-America defenseman Erin Ambrose (Keswick, ONT) capped off the Clarkson University Women's Hockey NCAA Banner Raising Day with the winning goal to help lift the Golden Knights to a 2-1 victory over St. Lawrence before a record-setting crowd of 2,506 fans at Cheel Arena on Saturday.

Ambrose, who was also a Top-10 Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist last year was patient with the puck at the point, skated to the right circle and fired in a shot that beat St. Lawrence goaltender Carmen MacDonald high into the top corner for a power-play tally with 1:16 remaining. Juniors Cayley Mercer (Exeter, ONT) and Shannon MacAulay (Mt. Herbert, PEI) assisted on the winner.

"It was great for our team to gain the first win of the season tonight,"stated head coach Matt Desrosiers. "I thought we played a much more complete game than Friday night. I was impressed with the way our players were able to remain focused on the actual game considering all the festivities and excitement surrounding the raising of the National Championship banner. Clarkson did a great job making this a special moment for our fans, alumni, and players."

After allowing five goals, including an empty-net score in Friday night's 5-3 loss at St. Lawrence, Clarkson behind the strong play of freshman goaltender Shea Tiley (Owen Sound, ONT) held the Saints' offense in check for most of the game. The Knights out shot the visitors 30-21 with Tiley making 20 saves in her first career start.

Freshman Amanda Titus (Stittsville, ONT) scored her first collegiate goal on a shot from the slot that beat MacDonald high on the glove side for the game's first goal. Mercer (Exeter, ONT) and senior Daniella Matteucci (Fruitvale, BC) assisted on the goal that came at 11:17 of the first period to give the Green and Gold the early momentum.

Clarkson controlled play for long stretches in the game and held a 15-5 shot advantage in the middle frame. It was the Saints, however, who made the most of their opportunities in the period. Late in the second, St. Lawrence finally got on the scoreboard when Brooke Webster scored her third goal of the weekend, knocking in a pass from Amanda Boulier at the backdoor with 1:45 left in the stanza.

The Knights, who were 1-of-4 with the man-advantage, converted on their final power-play of the game with Ambrose's game-winner and 21st career goal. St. Lawrence was 0-of-3 on the power play.

Prior to the start of the Knights' season-opener at home, Clarkson's 2013-14 NCAA title-winning squad was honored with the raising of their National Championship Banner to the Cheel Arena rafters. After the game, the Golden Knights were presented with their NCAA Championship rings.

Clarkson takes to the road next weekend for a two-game series at Hockey East's Providence College.
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