POTSDAM, NY Mike McKenna (Camden, DE) scored four goals, assisted on another, and won nine of his 10 faceoffs as Clarkson defeated Union College 11-8 in a Liberty League conference game Saturday afternoon at Hantz Field.

With the victory, Clarkson improved to 7-5 overall and 4-1 in conference play, clinching one of the four playoff spots in the Liberty League Tournament in the first weekend of May. Union fell to 5-8 overall and 1-3 in the Liberty League.

Union started the game with a goal just nine seconds into the game when junior Dan Myerow (Sudbury, MA) scored by picking up a ground ball off the opening faceoff, but the Dutchmen struggled to produce offensively for the remainder of the half. The Golden Knights scored eight of the next nine goals in the first half and went into the locker room with an 8-3 advantage. Union did score four of the last five goals of the game.

The Golden Knights won 20 of the 23 faceoffs in the game and also owned a 40-25 shot advantage and a 40-26 edge in ground balls.

Johnson scored three goals and assisted on another, Brian Hanlon (Marcellus, NY) scored three goals and Jon Parks (Canton, NY) added a goal and three assists for Clarkson. Also assisting on goals were Rich Burritt (Oswego, NY), who had two assists, Steve Kennedy (Niskayuna, NY) and Matt Normandin (Clifton Park, NY).

Senior Pete Gross (Larchmont, NY) scored four goals to lead the Dutchmen. Myerow added a goal and two assists, senior Andy West (Salem, NH) scored a goal and classmate Mike Sparico (Riverside, CT) and sophomore Will Dewey (Yardley, PA) each scored goals for Union. Freshman Jon Miller (Yarmouth, ME) also contributed an assist for Union.

Senior Joe Zebrowski (Liverpool, NY) made four saves to earn the win. Union senior Will Tamm (Millbrook, NY) was busier in net for the Dutchmen, stopping 15 shots.

The Dutchmen will be home on Wednesday to host Hamilton at 4 p.m.