Julia Minotti did not have any rust to shake off as she stepped into the net for the first time since December 2nd, polishing off her 3rd straight shutout, and 4th shutout in 7 appearances, during today's 4-0 win over Union.

Both teams took some time feeling each other out during the first period, accumulating a combined 3 shots on goal in the opening 10 minutes of play. Entering the intermission, that game remained scoreless with Union holding a slight edge in scoring chances 6-5, and Clarkson leading the shots on goal count 8-6. 

The Golden Knights regrouped quickly and stormed into the second period with a strong shift from the top line which set up the second line for success. Jenna Goodwin opened the Golden Knight goal scoring floodgates with her 3rd goal of the season 1:30 into the period. Darcie Lappan was credited with an assist as she set up Goodwin behind the Union net, who then made a quick turn from the right circle and fired a wrist shot into the net. 

Clarkson surrendered a penalty two minutes later, as Nicole Gosling was called for hooking giving Union the first power play of the game. The Garnet Chargers gave the opportunity right back with a holding penalty 1:25 into the Clarkson penalty kill, sending the game to a 35 second 4 on 4. The Golden Knights generated a quick rush through the neutral zone as Nicole Gosling stepped out of the box commencing the abbreviated power play. Darcie Lappan did all the work herself, splitting a trio of Garnet Charger defenders and scoring a power play goal at 5:22, 5 seconds after the advantage started. Dominique Petrie extended her point streak to 7 games with an assist on the play, and Keira Hurry added her first point of the night with the secondary assist. 

Hurry was sentenced with 2 minutes for tripping at 12:39, but Clarkson's stellar penalty kill answered the call, preventing Union from finding a shot on goal. The Garnet Chargers returned the favor sending Clarkson to the power play at 16:08 on another hooking infraction generated from a timely stretch pass to the stick of Rebecca Morissette, leading a breakaway chance that forced the penalty. The Golden Knights power play extended the lead as Petrie and Lappan set up Keira Hurry wide open in the slot. Hurry's wrist shot gave Clarkson a 3-0 lead with 2:33 remaining, which they would take into the locker room.  

Clarkson did not offer Union many chances as the third got started. The Golden Knights persistent effort to force pucks deep into the Chargers defensive zone allowed their forecheck to generate frequent turnovers and chances toward the Union net. Jenna Goodwin offered a low shot that gave a rebound to the top of the crease where Sena Catterall notched the 4th goal of the game with 8:59 remaining in regulation. Darcie Lappan added her fourth point of the game, scoring or assisting on every Golden Knight tally. 

Clarkson's penalty kill stayed perfect, killing off one more Union power play late in the 3rd period, and the Golden Knights ran out the clock finishing off another ECAC conference win. Julia Minotti's 16 saves gathered her 6th win of the season, now 6-0-1 on the campaign with 4 shutouts. Four Golden Knights recorded multiple points, led by Darcie Lappan's goal and 3 assists. Keira Hurry and Jenna Goodwin both rallied a goal and an assist, and Dominique Petrie finished with a pair of assists.

Following the contest, Julia Minotti talked about her success in the crease. "It starts in practice. I get ready for every practice like I get ready for a game, whether I'm playing or not… so I'm always ready to rise up to the occasion," Minotti said. "My team makes it easy for me. We have a really strong defensive core, so they help me out a lot."

Clarkson's special teams were on fire this weekend going 4 for 4 on the penalty kill, and adding 3 goals on 7 power play chances. Keira Hurry scored her 5th goal of the season on the power play, and has found success as a freshman in the lineup. "Both of our [power play] units move the puck so well, and we have talented girls on both units, so we are able to work together and get the puck to the net so we can create as many chances as we can," she noted. When asked about her personal success offensively, she added, "being able to watch the older girls in front of me has really helped me see their skills and work to keep up with them which has pushed me to become a better defenseman and has also allowed me to find opportunities offensively."  

The Golden Knights' experienced coaching staff knows there is still work ahead in the upcoming months of a difficult ECAC schedule. Assistant Coach Tony Maci gave his thoughts on the weekend sweep saying, "we got it done, but I don't think it was our best effort… we have to put these ones behind us, thankful we got the points, but look forward to next weekend which will be a tough road weekend." As Clarkson looks ahead to a weekend on the road, Coach Maci anticipates a pair of games that the team will have to prepare their A game for. Maci finished by forecasting, "Brown played us hard last time… so we have to be prepared. Yale has been playing tough defensively so we can expect a defensive battle. We were able to take care of it here so we need to do the same thing there." 

With the victory, Clarkson is now 21-1-2 overall and 10-1-1 in conference play. The Golden Knights sit 2nd in the ECAC standings, trailing Colgate by half a point. The team returns to action on the road Friday at Yale, streaming on ESPN+ beginning at 6:00 PM EST.