Despite registering 45 shots on goal, outshooting Cornell 45-16 and out-chancing the Big Red 37-16, Clarkson's push fell short as Cornell goaltender Annelis Bergmann made a career high saves during the 3-0 final.

"Tough to solve [Bergmann] today. We had a couple that bounced over our sticks that we could've banged home, but they played well and played a strong road game to come out on top," said Assistant Coach Tony Maci after the loss. "We had three bad turnovers that ended up in the back of our net… you can't do that against big teams that can capitalize. We just have to go back to the drawing board, put this one behind us, and move forward."

After Cornell opened the game with a 4-1 shot advantage, Clarkson rebounded by finding 12 of the next 13 shots on goal. The Big Red scored first, finding an offensive zone turnover, where Georgia Schiff set up a quick shot by Kaitlin Jockims that beat Michelle Psiechnyk. After the first, the Knights held a 14-8 shot advantage.

"I think we're playing really well right now, and I really like our game. We just have to keep our heads down and keep pushing to get pucks into the dirty areas and one will come for us," said Knights' Captain Brooke McQuigge after the first period. 

Cornell's top line extended the lead on their first shift of the second, as Izzy Daniel received a pass from Ashley Messier, and beat Pasiechnyk with a move to her forehand. Daniel's nation leading 50th point this season put the Big Red ahead 2-0, 1:38 into the period. Clarkson was awarded the game's first powerplay on a cross checking penalty to Avi Adam at 11:20, but were only able to get one shot on goal during the advantage. After 40 minutes, the Knights were outshooting Cornell 26-13.

"We have done a good job getting on them, just a bit too inconsistent. That period had a bit more special teams, so we have to be able to capitalize on those and take it to them," said Dominique Petrie entering the third period "I think we have to find a way to get in front of the goalie's eyes and screen her. The rebounds are there, we just have to get to those areas."

The third period saw 41 of Clarkson's immense 100 shot attempts. The Knights went back to the power play 58 seconds into the period on an interference penalty to Alyssa Regalado. The power play registered a game-high four shots on target, but were held off the board again. As the Knights pressured, Grace Dwyer stepped in front of a shot by Sara Swiderski. Her block rebounded out to the neutral zone, allowing Karel Prefontaine to breakaway. Prefontaine scored on the chance, taking the lead by three. Clarkson pulled Michelle Pasiechnyk with less than 3:30 remaining to get the extra attacker, but the Big Red wasted the clock until time ran out.

Michelle Pasiechnyk finished the game with 13 saves. Clarkson's power play was unable to convert for the second game this weekend, going 0-for-2. The Knights did not give Cornell any power plays during the game.

Next weekend, the team heads on the road traveling to #12 Princeton and #9 Quinnipiac. The Golden Knights are second in the conference, 1.5 points behind Colgate with four games remaining in the ECAC regular season.

"We need to take it one game at a time and keep things simple. We need to limit our turnovers against good teams… and capitalize when we have the opportunities. We let a couple go today, and we weren't as crisp as we wanted to be, but we will regroup into next week," said Maci regarding the upcoming road trip.

Through 30 games, Clarkson is now 25-3-2, 13-3-1 in ECAC conference play. Today marked their first loss on home ice this season, and just the third of the campaign. The team is back in action next Friday against Princeton. Puck drop is at 6:00 PM EST, streaming on ESPN+.