Potsdam, NY (Oct. 16, 2004) The Union women's hockey team came up on the short end of a hard-fought season opening contest against first-year conference foe Clarkson Saturday evening at Cheel Arena as they dropped a 2-1 decision to the Golden Knights.  After taking a first period lead Dutchwomen goalie Amanda Hanson (Brainerd, MN) did all she could to preserve the lead but could not withstand a Clarkson attack that recorded 45 shots. 

Union capitalized on the power play with a goal from Erin Vehec (Washingtonville, NY) at 17:19 off a feed from Elise Nichols (Pittsfield, MA) and Ashley Kilstein (Cherry Hill, NJ).  Hanson supported the advantage with 16 first period saves. 

Clarkson came back in the second period with a pair of power play goals of its own.  The first came from Jill Nolan with assists to Amanda Dittmer and Emma Madigan at 3:07.  Lindsay Williams provided the go-ahead goal later in the period at 13:55 after Kilstein was called for holding at 12:05.  Amanda Dittmer and Jessica Cloutier were credited with the assists.

Union's offense could not get anything going in the second period as they were out shot 15-0.

Hanson kept Union close throughout the third period with 14 saves but the Dutchwomen could not come up with the equalizer.

Hanson was nothing short of spectacular between the pipes with 43 saves.  Her counterpart Kira McDonald made five saves. 

Union falls to 0-1-0 overall and 0-1-0 in the ECACHL.  They will have a chance for redemption when the teams meet one more time tomorrow at 2:00 p.m.