Marchand Nets BIG Overtime Winner as Syracuse Thwarts Penn State’s Comeback Attempt
By Chilekasi Adele | @CAdeleTV
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Freshman Sarah Marchand capped off a huge win for Syracuse Ice Hockey (12-9-6, 10-3-1 College Hockey America) Saturday, as the Orange bounced back after giving up a one goal lead in the third period for the second game in a row — beating Penn State (14-9-4, 7-3-1 College Hockey America), 2-1.
The action was slow for Syracuse in the first. Paul Flanagan’s team was outshot 19-4 in the opening period. On Saturday, it was Syracuse killing power plays en masse — a stark contrast from the night before, where the team had seven power play chances.
Syracuse only had one opportunity on the man-advantage, and they took advantage of it. Penn State’s Olivia Wallin took a roughing penalty at the end of the first period, and Jessica DiGirolamo made her pay. The Grad Student beat goaltender Josie Bothun 16 seconds into the second period to give Syracuse an early lead. It was her sixth goal of the season, and her third on the power play.
That one goal wasn’t enough however, as a laid-back Orange squad paid for their mistakes as the end of regulation neared. 8:07 in, the game’s officials called a no-goal after a review for a possible Penn State goal.
About two and a half minutes after that scare, the Nittany Lions found the back of the net. Rachel Weiss beat Arielle DeSmet stickside to tie the game. For Weiss, it was her 4th goal of the season.
Arielle DeSmet had another strong night in goal. DeSmet has only allowed two goals in the past 129 minutes, playing all 65 minutes of Friday night’s game and 64 minutes of Saturday’s contest. The Senior Transfer set a career high in saves Saturday afternoon, recording 54 saves in 65 minutes.
In Overtime, it was the aforementioned Sarah Marchand who put the game away. Marchand beat goaltender Josie Bothun on a 2-on-1 opportunity with fellow forward Victoria Klimek on the left side.
The Orange remain comfortably atop the CHA standings in both record and points percentage — which bodes well for them as they look to host the CHA tournament. Next weekend, SU will head back to Pennsylvania — this time in the state’s northwest corner. Syracuse will face Mercyhurst at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5.
