Women's ice hockey: Clarkson batters Orange in weekend doubleheader

Syracuse entered the weekend with a streak of four-consecutive tie games, but defending national champion Clarkson completely shattered it Friday afternoon.

Led by Genevieve Bannon's hat trick, the Golden Knights dismantled the Orange, 9-0, in Potsdam, N.Y., during the first game of a weekend twinbill.

The onslaught began only 21 seconds into the game, as Shannon MacAulay fired Clarkson's first shot past SU goalkeeper Jenn Gilligan. By the time the period ended, the Orange had dug itself a 4-0 hole.

The SU (1-2-4) defense stabilized in the second period, allowing only one tally. However, its offense failed to convert on two power-play opportunities.

Clarkson (4-3-0) again flexed its muscles in the third, piling on another four goals to send the Orange to its worst loss this season.

The Golden Knights outshot SU 29-19.

Saturday: Clarkson 4, Syracuse 1

Syracuse had to wait only 24 hours to try and avenge Friday's embarrassing loss. While it did play much better, the Orange stumbled to the same end result.

Larissa Martyniuk scored in the second period to draw SU even, but Clarkson pulled away late to hand SU a 4-1 loss Saturday at Tennity Ice Pavilion.

The Golden Knights again struck first on Savannah Harmon's tally with only 1:56 left in the first period.

Martyniuk gave the Orange (1-3-4) new life in the middle frame with her first goal of the season on a screened shot through traffic, but that would be all the offense SU could muster.

Clarkson (5-3-0) quickly regained the lead, and Caley Mercer added two insurance goals in the final period.

In its three setbacks this season, Syracuse has been outscored 23-3.