DiGirolamo Scores Late Goal to Give Syracuse Redemption against Penn State

By Noah Cierzan

CitrusTV Women’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Syracuse Head Coach Paul Flanagan has stressed wanting his team to play a full game from the opening whistle. For the second game in a row, the Orange scored in the first five minutes with a Savannah Rennie goal.

However, SU took advantage of its early lead this time around. Rennie’s goal propelled Syracuse (3-11-1, 2-1-1 College Hockey America) to a 3-1 victory over Penn State (3-7-4, 0-3-1 CHA). The Orange earned two points from Sunday’s game, give them a total of three on the weekend.

Syracuse’s elite goaltending led the way for the second consecutive game. Ady Cohen was in between the pipes on Sunday, and she turned in her third win of the season. SU’s goalies combined for a .962 save percentage on the weekend, far better than their 3.3 goals allowed per game.

After Rennie’s goal, Syracuse hit a massive drought until late in the third period. Nittany Lions goalie Chantal Burke stifled the Orange for most of the game with 15 shots on goal alone in the second period.

Jessica DiGirolamo opened up the game 18 minutes into the third period, ripping one into the back of the net on a power play. Syracuse had been 0-for-5 on the power play before DiGirolamo’s goal, a big reason why the game was still tight.

“Our power play struggled all game until DiGi buried the winner,” said Flanagan.

Abby Moloughney was another star player for SU. She had three points on the day, including Syracuse’s third goal of the game

“Abby did a great job on the face-off for the assist, and also added the insurance tally to put the game away,” said Flanagan.

Syracuse has now cemented themselves into third place in the CHA standings, just behind RIT and Robert Morris. SU takes a break from CHA action to face No. 3 ranked Cornell in a tough matchup at home on Tuesday.

ncierzan@syr.edu l @ncierzan