The hard work and talent from past recruiting classes resulted in the Clarkson University Women's Hockey team winning the 2014 and 2017 NCAA National Championships. The Golden Knights will now look towards the Class of 2021 to play a key role in the continued success of the program, which enters its 15th season of Division I play in 2017-18.
 
"We are extremely excited to welcome this group of talented and hardworking young women to the Clarkson family," stated 10th-year head coach Matt Desrosiers.  "This incoming freshman class not only brings a great deal of experience and accomplishments with them, they also possess a lot of talent, character, leadership qualities and a tremendous amount of potential, which will make them very exciting to watch and work with.  We are looking forward to getting them on campus, and integrated within our team and culture as I believe they have a lot to offer to our continued success."
 
Desrosiers along with assistant coaches Britni Smith and Tony Maci have added four forwards - Michaela Boyle (Reading, MA), Elizabeth Giguere (Quebec City, QUE), Kristy Pidgeon (Ingleside, ONT) and Tia Stoddard (La Mesa, CA),  two defensemen - Meaghan Hector (Georgetown, ONT) and Avery Mitchell (Pickering, ONT) and one goaltender Kia Castonguay (Ipswich, MA) to the talented Green and Gold roster. The seven members of the Golden Knights incoming class will add to the depth of a Clarkson squad that graduated five standout contributors – forwards Genevieve Bannon, Jessica Gillham and Cayley Mercer, defenseman Corie Jacobson and goaltender McKenzie Johnson - who played key roles in both of the Green and Gold's national titles.
 
"Although we had a memorable season this past year, our returning players are focused and committed to working hard to achieve our goals," added Desrosiers.  "It will be up to them, especially our leaders, to help the freshmen make the transition to college hockey and their studies seamless.  With the tremendous character and commitment of our core players we have returning, we are confident the freshmen will flourish under their leadership."
 
The Knights skated to best record in the program's history last winter, capped off by the National Championship, posting a 32-4-5 overall record and a first place 19-1-2 ECAC Hockey mark. Along with winning the league's regular-season title for the third time, Clarkson also claimed its first ever ECAC Hockey Championship Tournament crown.

Below is an alphabetical list of the Golden Knights recruits with a quote from each student-athlete on why they chose Clarkson:
 

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#16 MICHAELA BOYLE
-Played for Reading Memorial High School (2017) 
-Played for Boston Shamrocks u19 (JWHL) 
-JWHL All-star (2016)
-Played for Austin Preparatory School (2013) (2014)
-USA National Development Camp ('13,'14,'15,'16) 
-Boston Globe Player of the Year (2017)
-Boston Herald Dream Team + All Scholastic (2017) 
-Middlesex League MVP (2017)
-Aleppo Shriners All Star Classic MVP (2017)
-Honor Roll Student 
-John F Kennedy Top 100 Award 
 
Why Clarkson?
"I chose Clarkson because of the dedicated coaching staff and the excellent hockey program. The education is second to none and is known for success in my desired major. I felt that Clarkson was the school for me as soon as I stepped foot on campus." 

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#29 KIA CASTONGUAY
-Played for Boston Shamrocks (JWHL)
-Boston Shamrocks MVP for 2016-17 season
-USA National Development Camp (2012, 2014, 2015)
-Honor Roll Student (2014-2017)
-Citizenship Award and Service award at Ipswich High School 
-Ipswich Athlete Award (2015, 2016)
 
Why Clarkson?
"I chose Clarkson because it reminds me a lot of my hometown. As soon as I arrived on campus I already felt like I was at home. Along with this, the school has an amazing science program, which is the route I want to take. When I first arrived on campus the coaching staff was very friendly and supportive so I knew Clarkson would be the best fit for me."
 

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#7 ELIZABETH GIGUERE
 -Canada U18 2015 – Silver Medal
-2015 Canada Winter Games- Prince George, BC, Canada - Gold medal 
-Cégep Rookie of the Year – 2015
-U18 team Quebec – 2014, 2015, 2016 
-Canada's National Women's Development team 2017 Nations Cup - Silver Medal
-Cégep League MVP - 2017
-Cégep Limoilou Titans 2016-17– Captain
-RSEQ Provincial Champion - 2017
-Cégep Limoilou 2017 – Female Athlete of the Year 
 
Why Clarkson?
"I chose Clarkson because I loved my first visit on campus, and the coaching staff was very welcoming with me. Also, Clarkson had the program that I wanted to take and I know that they can help me achieve my goals in hockey and at school. After my visit I knew that Clarkson would be a great fit for me."
 

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#18 MEAGHAN HECTOR
-Played for Oakville Jr Hornets- PWHL (2015, 2016, 2017)
-Assistant captain for Oakville (2016, 2017)
-Provincial Gold Medalist (2017)
-PWHL Gold Medalist (2017)
-PWHL League Champions (2017)
-U18 IIHF World Championships- Team Canada- Silver Medalist (2017)
-U18 National Championships- Team Ontario Blue (2016- Bronze, 2017)
-Honor roll student (2013-2017)
-Student athlete at Christ the King C.S.S.- basketball, track, ultimate Frisbee, flag football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, volleyball, badminton
-Captain for CtK basketball (2013-2017)
-J.R. McCarthy Award- High academic achievement and promoting values of dignity, equity and respect within CtK (2015)
-Ontario Winter Games (hockey) - Huntsville, Ontario- Bronze Medalist (2014)
-Ontario Summer Games (soccer) - Windsor, Ontario- Bronze Medalist (2014)
-Student of Excellence award (2013)
 
Why Clarkson?
"I chose Clarkson because of its close proximity to home, small and welcoming campus, state-of-the-art Business program and their competitive hockey team. The moment I drove onto campus I got "the feeling" and knew Clarkson was for me." 
 

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#4 AVERY MITCHELL
-Toronto Jr. Aeros (PWHL)
-U18 IIHF World Championships - Team Canada - Silver Medalist (2017)
-Hockey Canada Strength and Conditioning Camp (2016)
-Hockey Canada Selection Camp (2016)
-U18 Team Ontario Blue (2015) - Bronze Medal
-U18 Team Ontario Red (2016) - Gold Medal
-Honor Role Student 2013-2017
-Member of Student Activity Council 2013-2017
-Member of School Mentorship Program 2014-2017
-Member of Camp Committee 2015-2016 
 
Why Clarkson?
"I chose Clarkson because of its great academic reputation, and the amazing atmosphere of the campus. I admire the hockey program and all the success it has had, and I knew it was something I would want to be a part of. I chose Clarkson because it is the perfect school for me to spend my next four years."
 

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#20 KRISTY PIDGEON
-Played for Nepean Junior Wildcats (PWHL)
-Hockey Canada U-18 Strength and Conditioning Camp (2016)
-Hockey Canada U-18 Selection Camp (2016)
-U-18 Team Ontario Member (2015, 2016)
-Gold Medalist at the 2016 National Championships with Team Ontario Red
-Honor roll student (grades 9-12)
-Highest Class Academic Average (grades 9-12)
-Student Council Athletics Leader
 
Why Clarkson? 
"I chose Clarkson University because of it's of strong academics, superior hockey program, and great coaching staff. I know that Clarkson is the best place for me to develop as a person both on and off the ice. With its small campus and rural atmosphere, it reminds me of home, and is somewhere that I know I'll be comfortable. Lastly, one of the main advantages of attending Clarkson is that I will be able to play in front of family and friends, as the university is only about an hour away from my hometown."
 

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#9 TIA STODDARD
-Anaheim Lady Ducks 10u-19u
-Nepean Jr. Wildcats (PWHL) 2016-2017
-USA Hockey Pacific District Camp 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
-USA Hockey National Camp 2014
-HS Varsity Lacrosse All-star 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
-HS Varsity Lacrosse First Team All-League 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 
-HS Varsity Lacrosse All-League MVP 2016
-Team USA Jr. Roller Hockey 
-Graduated HS with Honors 2015-2016

Why Clarkson?
"I chose Clarkson because of its thriving ice hockey program and outstanding academics. Also because of the closeness of the Potsdam community. Moving from California to Upstate New York will be a big change and a fresh start for me and I am excited for the journey and to become a Golden Knight for the next four years!"