It was a rough night for the Clarkson University Hockey team at Cheel Arena on Friday as defending National Champion Union College handed the Golden Knights a 4-1 loss in ECAC Hockey action.

Clarkson, which hosts Rensselaer on Saturday to close out a five-game home stand, falls to 10-13-4 overall and to 7-6-2 in conference play.

Union (14-11-2, 6-8-1) jumped out to a 2-0 first period and never looked back to gain its third win in its last four games.

Moments after the Dutchmen killed off a Clarkson power play the nation's leading scorer Daniel Ciampini tallied his 23rd goal of the season at 9:08, finishing off a 2-on-1 with Matt Wilkins. Mike Vecchione also assisted. Union made it 2-0 with 1:35 remaining in the period when Vecchione stole the puck at center ice and scored unassisted on a shorthanded breakaway goal for his 15th goal of the season.

The Dutchmen took advantage of a 5-on-3 power-play opportunity early in the second period to build their lead to 3-0. At 1:37, Nick DeSimone scored from the right circle for his second goal of the season with assists going to Ryan Scarfo and Spencer Foo.

Union added its fourth at 13:17 of the final frame with Matt Wilkins scoring on a 5-on-3 power play.

Clarkson avoided the shutout when freshman defenseman Kelly Summers (Golden Lake, ONT) connected for a power-play marker with 2:44 remaining. Junior Jeff DiNallo (Aurora, ONT) and freshman Janick Asselin (Coaticook, QUE) assisted on Summers' fourth goal of the year.

The Knights held a slight 30-29 shot advantage. Junior Greg Lewis (Mars, PA) made 25 saves. Union's Colin Stevens posted 29 saves.

Union went 2-of-5 on the power play, while the Green and Gold were 1-of-5 with the man-advantage.