It was a memorable start to the season for two members of the Clinton girls hockey team.
Two program records fell in a span of 11 days. On Dec. 2, senior forward Drew Kopek (Rome Free Academy) became the program’s all-time leading scorer with her 72nd career point in the Warriors’ 8-0 win over Alexandria Bay. Sophomore goalie Casey Clausen (Whitesboro) followed up with a 12-save performance in the team’s 3-1 win over Oswego on Dec. 13 for her program-best 17th career victory.
Kopek’s record-setting goal came on her fourth tally of the night. She came across the high slot and ripped a shot that went through the legs of the Oswego goalie. That was followed by the Clinton bench clearing and a huge celebration with a group of kids who were sitting behind the glass, including Drew’s younger sister, Dani, who presented her with a commemorative banner highlighting the achievement.
“I already had three goals and one assist and there was like two minutes left in the game,” said Kopek, who has 15 goals and 13 assists for 28 points this season — and 42 goals and 52 assists for 104 career points. “I didn’t know when I was going to break the record and they were all like, ‘You have to do it tonight’ so all of my teammates telling me to do it made it seem like, ‘Oh my god, I have to do this.’ It wasn’t pressure but excitement because everyone knew. Plus, my sister and all of my friends were there. The whole team crowded around me.”
