Clarkson Falls in Nutmeg Classic Final

Erin Ambrose was named to the Nutmeg Classic All-Tournament Team - photo by Jim Meagher

Box Score
For the second time in two weeks, the Clarkson University Women's Hockey team lost a hard fought game to Quinnipiac, falling 3-1 in the final of the Nutmeg Classic.

"Tonight was a different game than last week's contest against them," stated Clarkson Head Coach Matt Desrosiers. "It was a good back and forth game that saw both teams get some good quality chances that were turned aside by both goaltenders. I thought we played well enough to win as it could have gone either way, but one thing for us to focus on moving forward is being able to find ways to win those close games. We have been in some tight games with good teams so if we can find ways to win those we should be in good shape down the stretch. A lot of that comes with experience so it is valuable for our younger players to be put in those types of games and situations early in the season. We all know how tight games get in the second half with league games. Now is the time that we need to bare down and win those games."

Although it would not count towards the ECAC Hockey standings, the top two teams in the conference wanted to pick up a vital win over the other before conference play begins again. Just like in Hamden last Friday, the Bobcats would strike first when Taylar Cianfarano scored at 8:32 in the first period. They would take that 1-0 lead into the second period.

Quinnipiac would double their lead at 10:58 in the second period when Emma Woods scored her seventh goal of the year. Clarkson would get a goal of its own less than a minute later. Freshman Amanda Titus (Stittsville, ONT) scored her second goal in the last three games. Fellow freshmen Brielle Bellerive (North Vancouver, BC) and Katelyn Fournier (Ottawa, ONT) were credited with assists, the fifth of the season for Bellerive and the third for Fournier. The score would remain 2-1 heading into the final period.

During the final 20 minutes, both teams had their chances to add another goal, but neither would score until Quinnipiac was able to put the game to rest when Morgan Fitz-Ward tallied an empty net goal with only four seconds remaining.

Freshman goaltender Shea Tiley (Owen Sound, ONT) finished the game with 26 saves, including 11 in the final frame, while Quinnipiac goalie Chelsea Laden finished with 24 saves of her own. Quinnipiac held a 29-25 advantage in shots. Both teams failed to score on their lone man-advantage opportunity.

Clarkson will return to ECAC Hockey action when they host Cornell and Colgate next weekend at Cheel Arena.

All-Tournament:
Goalie - Elaine Chuli, UConn
Defense - Erin Ambrose, Clarkson
Defense - Cydney Roesler, Quinnipiac
Forward - Phoebe Staenz, Yale
Forward - Morgan Fitz-Ward, Quinnipiac
Forward - Shannon MacAulay, Clarkson
Most Valuable Goaltender: Chelsea Laden, Quinnipiac
Tournament MVP: Emma Woods, Quinnipiac

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Players Mentioned

#15 Amanda Titus: F; 5' 6"; Freshman

#24 Katelyn Fournier: F; 5' 7"; Freshman

#27 Brielle Bellerive: F; 5' 9"; Freshman

#35 Shea Tiley: G; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#15 Amanda Titus
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: F

#24 Katelyn Fournier
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: F

#27 Brielle Bellerive
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: F

#35 Shea Tiley
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: G