The Clarkson University Women’s Lacrosse team got off to a quick start in its Liberty League opener on the road, but unfortunately for the Golden Knights they could not hold on to their lead as Rensselaer rallied back to gain a 12-8 victory in Troy on Friday afternoon.

Clarkson jumped out to a 3-0 lead with 15 minutes left to play in the first half, but Rensselaer came back to score four of the next five goals to force a 4-4 tie at the break. The Knights struck quickly in the second half as junior Nicole Kelly (Syracuse, NY) tallied less than a minute into the frame off a feed from classmate Alyssa Cristaldi (North Syracuse, NY) to regain the lead at 5-4. The Engineers, however, took the lead for the first time in the contest with two quick scores to go on top 6-5 with 21:23 remaining. Senior Saryn Campbell (West Bolton, VT) pulled the Knights even at 20:26, but Rensselaer (8-0, 3-0) regrouped and outscored the Green and Gold 6-2 the rest of the way to keep its perfect record intact for its best start in the program’s history.

Cristaldi led the way offensively for Clarkson with three points on two goals and one assists. Campbell and junior Katie VanDeValk (Baldwinsville, NY) also scored two goals apiece. Freshman Cassie Grace (Potsdam, NY) rounded out the Knight goal scorers.

Rensselaer’s Meg Colitz led all scorers with five points, including four goals.

The Engineers out shot Clarkson 28-19, while the Knights enjoyed the advantage in ground balls, 22-17.

In goal, senior Hannah Walters (Amherst, NH) suffered the loss, stopping eight shots. Grace picked up a team-high five ground balls.

Clarkson, at 3-3 and 0-1 in the Liberty League, heads to Saratoga Springs on Saturday for a 2pm match at Skidmore.