Women’s hockey wrapped up its weekend with two losses against ECAC-rivals Clarkson and St. Lawrence with Cornell vying for home-ice advantage for playoffs.
Cornell (12-11-2, 9-8-1 ECAC) faced No. 9 Clarkson (22-7-2, 11-5-1 ECAC) on Friday. Both teams started off strong, coming out of the first period scoreless. However, the Golden Knights scored two in the second to go into the final frame leading 2-0. The Red managed to cut its deficit with a goal by senior forward Gillis Frechette halfway through the third. Cornell managed a flurry of shots against Clarkson, but it proved to be unsuccessful as time ran out.
On a three game losing streak, the Red headed to Canton looking to flip the script against St. Lawrence (13-17-3, 7-9-3 ECAC). Things started well for Cornell, leading 2-0 going into the third period, with goals by Frechette and freshman forward Mckenna Van Gelder. However, the Red was unable to maintain control, as St. Lawrence mounted a late comeback with two goals in the third.
Tied at 2-2 at the end of regulation, the Red headed into overtime where the Saints scored to secure its comeback victory.
Although it was a loss, compared to last weekend there seemed to be some improvements.
“I thought we did a good job playing better defense and doing a better job on our own end,” said head coach Doug Derraugh ’91.
Defensive struggles have been a common theme in these past four losses for the Red. The next few games will give the team a chance to work on their game before playoffs.
“We have the opportunity to focus on being better defensively,” Derraugh said. “I think [our play] is starting to come around again on pace for us to have success for these last two weekends.”
Looking to snap its four-game losing streak, Cornell returns home to face Brown on Friday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at Lynah Rink and then take on No. 2 Yale for Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. Both games will be broadcasted on ESPN+.