Syracuse Loses to Robert Morris In Regular Season Finale

By David Edelstein

CitrusTV Ice Hockey Reporter

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Syracuse’s conference tournament seeding was out of its own control on Saturday as Mercyhurst had secured second place in a 2-1 win over RIT before SU’s game began, officially placing the Orange third in the conference standings. But even if the Lakers had lost, the standings would have remained the same as Syracuse (10-21-3, 10-8-2 College Hockey America) fell to Robert Morris (15-13-6, 13-4-3 CHA) in a 4-2 defeat to conclude a disappointing weekend.

The Orange came into its final two-game series still competing for a first-place finish but saw its chances of winning the top spot disappear after a 5-0 Friday loss. 

SU goalie Maddie Welch and RMU netminder Lauren Bailey combined for 16 saves in a scoreless first period. But the Colonials would score three unanswered goals after the first intermission.

RMU’s Caitlyn Sadowy struck first only 3:20 into the second period. Freshman Leah Marino scored her first career goal to put Robert Morris up 2-0 midway through second frame. Janey Sandoval scored with 1:22 left before the second intermission to increase RMU’s lead to 3-0.

SU’s Kristen Siermachesky then scored her first career goal 21 seconds into the third period to cut Robert Morris’ lead to 3-1 in her second game returning from injury.

Marino then made it 4-1 just 6:32 into the third for her second goal of the game and of her career.

Syracuse’s Amanda Bäckebo was the third player to earn her first career goal on Saturday, putting the puck in the back of the net with 5:02 left in regulation to bring the score to 5-2.

Despite scoring fewer goals, Syracuse led 32-17 in shots on goal.

Penn State and Lindenwood tied, 3-3, in their final game to round out the weekend. Here are the final 2018-2019 CHA standings:

The CHA tournament begins Wednesday, March 6 in Buffalo.

dzedelst@syr.edu | @DavidZEdelstein