Northeastern take Friendship Series win over Clarkson

Northeastern produced a stunning comeback in Saturday's draw with Clarkson and won out in Sunday's game. Credit: Presseye

Northeastern came out on top over Clarkson in Belfast with a win on Sunday, as the sides took part in the first ever NCAA women’s games to be played internationally.

The Friendship Series at the SSE Arena builds on the success of annual Friendship Four tournament involving top US men’s college teams.

It continues to strengthen ties between Northern Ireland and North America, while also promoting just some of the opportunities available to women in sport.

The US women's college sides met in Belfast in the first Friendship Series. Credit: Presseye

Clarkson are the 2018 NCAA Champions and Northeastern are the 2018 Hockey East Champions, so hockey fans in Belfast were sure to be in for a couple of thrilling games.

And Clarkson even brought their pep band back to the city, after they travelled to Belfast with their university’s men’s team previously – and proved a hugely welcome addition to proceedings.

The weekend’s first game saw the Clarkson Golden Knights go 2-0 up over their opponents, only for the Northeastern Huskies to produce a stunning comeback.

Three goals inside a minute put the Huskies in the driving seat heading into the final period.

The Golden Knights pulled a goal back and ultimately the sides shared the honours, having it all to do again on Sunday.

The Clarkson Golden Knights found a way to tie up Saturday's game against the Northeastern Huskies. Credit: Presseye

And in that second game, it was Northeastern that took the early lead.

Clarkson found an equaliser, but two more goals were to give the Huskies the win and the first Friendship Series bragging rights.

The games were free to all to attend as part of efforts to increase accessibility.

Northeastern ran out the winners over Clarkson on Sunday in Belfast. Credit: Presseye