Hot Start Not Enough for Syracuse, Fall to Colgate in Overtime 3-2

By Tyler Melito

CitrusTV Women’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter

COVID-19 pushed back the start of the 2020-2021 season for women’s college hockey teams across the NCAA. It was a long-awaited season opener for both Syracuse (0-1, 0-0 College Hockey America) and Colgate (1-0, 0-0 Eastern College Athletic Conference), but it was well worth the wait. Despite being down two goals to zero after the second period of play, the Raiders would go on to score three unanswered goals in the third period and overtime to get the 3-2 victory over SU.

Syracuse got off to a great start with Freshman Rayla Clemons starting her Orange career strong, scoring two goals in the first period. The offense, however, went dormant in the remaining 40-plus minutes of game time, not only being held scoreless but not getting very many chances with the puck.

Syracuse’s goalkeeper Allison Small on the flip side played strong through two periods, but simply could not weather the storm by the Raiders offense in that third period. Maggie Maceachern got the party started for Colgate with 8:30 left in the third.

The moment of the game however occurred with 6:46 left in the third period when SU committed two penalties simultaneously to give Colgate a 5-to-3 advantage in terms of players on the ice. The Raiders’ Malia Schneider ricocheted a shot by Allyson Simpson to tie things up at two, capitalizing on the opportunity the Orange gifted them with. The equalizer however did not come without some controversy. After the puck went into the net, officials reviewed the footage to determine whether or not Schneider committed a high stick penalty, which would have wiped the goal off the board. After careful deliberation however, the goal stood, and Colgate had all of the momentum.

Then there was the dagger. Just seconds into overtime, Sydney Bard ripped a shot past Small to give the Raiders the win, capping what was frankly a collapse in all facets of the game by Syracuse head coach Paul Flannigan’s squad.

Syracuse will need to quickly forget about this one however, as they will match back up against Colgate tomorrow, this time on the road. Puck drop for that one will be 4pm.

tylermelito@gmail.com | @MelitoTyler