For the 2023-24 edition of Clarkson Women's Hockey, there was plenty of optimism heading into the opener that this team could defend and generate offense and Saturday's debut vs. Merrimack, proved both to be true.

From the opening draw the Knights out shot the Warriors 5-1 in the first 5 minutes.  As the Knights pressed, the chances got better and the long shifts for Merrimack started to catch up.  At 9:19, the Knights were able to send a long pass to Sena Catterall who broke free from her defender and put the Knights up 1-0 when she was able to zip a shot between the legs of Merrimack goalie, Calli Hogarth.  Shelby Laidlaw and Sara Swiderski were credited with the assists and for Laidlaw it was her first point as a Golden Knight.  

Just over a minute later, Nicole Gosling got her first of the year with an assist from Haley Winn at 10:43, putting the Knights up 2-0.

Michelle Pasiechnyk would make 6 saves in the first period and then Knights out shot Merrimack 8 to 6.

In the middle frame the Knights were able to again apply pressure and the result was increased quality scoring chances as the period progressed.  At 7:55 of the 2nd period, Laurence Frenette celebrated her return after a year off, with her first of the season, putting the Knights up 3-0.   Clarkson would go on the power play mid way through the period and cash in when Nicole Gosling got her 2nd of the game, from Winn and Alexie Guay.  Clarkson went up 5-0 when Anne Cherkowski scored at 13:53 from Brooke McQuigge and Dominique Petrie.  

The Knights would cruise through the third period out shooting the Warriors, 13 to 5 in the period and 33 to 15 for the game. 

Clarkson was 1 for 3 on the power play, while killing off all 3 chances that Merrimack had on the power play.  Michelle Pasiechnyk earned her first shout out of the season by making 15 saves.  She was 2nd in the nation last year for shut outs and now has 14 for her career.

Nicole Gosling lead the team with 3 points on the game (1,2), Sena Catterall finished with a goal and an assist, while Haley Winn finished with 2 assists.  Knights Defense accounted for 7 of the teams 14 points.

Up next, Clarkson will face-off with Merrimack again at 2:00 pm on Sunday at Cheel Arena.

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For more information about Clarkson Athletics visit www.clarksonathletics.com and to learn more about the ECAC, visit www.ecachockey.com/sports/whockey