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 [9] 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 [10]. 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 [11] 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.
