Clarkson leveled the score less than seven minutes later.

Thibault, who is leading her new team in points, took a pass from sophomore Juana Baribeau and put a shot on net. Kessler made the initial save, but despite her acrobatic attempt at a split save, Thibault’s rebound lit the lamp.

Tied 1-1 to begin the third frame, junior Kate Buesser was whistled for cross-checking just 2:30 into the period, giving the Golden Knights the power play that led to Eusepi’s game-winning goal.

“We had some costly penalties, and we just talked about the fact that we’re not a young team,” Stone said. “As soon as everybody in the locker room recognizes that and starts playing like they’re capable of playing, then we’re going to be in good shape.”

For the last 17:12 of the game, Harvard dominated play, outshooting Clarkson 12-5 in the third.

The Golden Knights were called for too many men on the ice with four minutes to play, and the Crimson generated a number of shots on net—including a long shot from co-captain Cori Bassett that hit the pipe before skirting wide—but couldn’t capitalize.

And with 45 seconds to play, Harvard made the move to pull Kessler off the ice in favor of an extra skater. But the sixth skater hit the ice before Kessler was off, and the Crimson had to finish the game on the penalty kill.

“We definitely dominated the third and we got our chances, but unfortunately the bounces didn’t go our way today,” Kessler said. “It’s always tough losing the home opener, but I think we definitely learned a lot from this game.”

—Staff writer Kate Leist can be reached at kleist@fas.harvard.edu.