Potsdam, NY – Almost from the opening kick, the Clarkson University Women’s Soccer team seemed to have the ball in their opponent’s end, producing a 34-2 edge in shots for a 3-0 shutout victory over Hilbert College Saturday afternoon at Clarkson Field.

The Golden Knights moved to 2-1 overall and will visit Plattsburgh State Wednesday night. The Hawks lost their first game of the season, falling to 3-1 in the young season.

The first half was played almost entirely in the Hilbert College defensive zone as the Golden Knights peppered the Hawks’ net. The best chance on the frame came late in the half when senior substitute Megan Bicknell (Potsdam, NY) hit the crossbar from about 15 yards out. Clarkson out shot Hilbert 17-1 in the first half, with nine of those shots saved by Hilbert keeper Mary Zanni.

All of that pressure in the first half paid off early in the second half as the Knights kept the Hawks on their heels from the start. Junior Meryn Lounsbury (North Norwich, NY) took a hard shot from near the top of the penalty area that skipped on the keeper Mary Zanni, but she was unable to corral the shot and Bicknell came in to finish off the play.

Clarkson picked up a pair of insurance scores late in the half.  In the 68th minute as senior Brittany Monroe (Massena, NY) ripped a ground shot from about 25 yards away that was redirected by Courtney Green (Rochester, NY).  Then, approximately 13 minutes later, freshman Ellen Heenan (Bridgeport, NY) blasted a shot from 15 yards out to the far post off a pass from classmate Nicole Johnson (Massena, NY).

The Knights owned 17-1 edges in shots in each half and held a 5-1 lead in corners for the game. Zanni made a total of 16 saves for Hilbert, while Alex Sullivan (Copenhagen, NY) and Stephanie Collins (Colton, NY) combined for no saves in the shutout.