Ice Hockey Sweeps Season Series Against RIT
By Chilekasi Adele | @CAdeleTV
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Ice Hockey (9-9-5, 7-3-0, College Hockey America) kept conference foe RIT (0-23-2, 0-9-1 College Hockey America) winless Saturday, defeating the Tigers 5-2 and sweeping the season series.
Syracuse’s scoring started in the first period — Lauren Bellefontaine scored her seventh goal of the season to give SU an early 1-0 lead. About six minutes later, RIT got on the board. Emma Roland scored unassisted for the Tigers to tie the game at one.
The second period scoring was led off by SU’s Hannah Johnson. The Sophomore scored unassisted at 7:55 in the 2nd period. RIT’s Bailey Kehl would respond almost a minute later, tying the game at two — the freshman’s first collegiate goal.
In the third, it was all Syracuse. 4:20 into the last period, Anna Leschyshyn gave the Orange the lead. That goal was the junior’s fourth this season. Later on, Abby Moloughney tacked on to the Syracuse lead, widening it and making it 4-2.
Finally, with three seconds remaining in the game, with a 6-on-4 due to RIT pulling goaltender Sarah Coe for an extra attacker and a tripping call on the aforementioned Leschyshyn, Rayla Clemons put in a short-handed empty-net goal to make it 5-2 Syracuse.
Hannah Johnson finished Saturday’s game with two points. In addition to scoring, Johnson assisted Leschyshyn on the game-winning goal in the third period. Abby Moloughney also scored had two points — scoring and assisting on Rayla Clemons’ short-handed goal late in the game.
The game’s inaugural goalscorer, Lauren Bellefontaine also had two points Saturday afternoon, assisting Abby Moloughney’s goal that extended Syracuse’s lead to 4-2.
The Orange return to Tennity Ice Pavilion to face Lindenwood on Jan. 28 and 29. The last time the two teams squared off was on Oct. 22 and 23. They split the series in Missouri, with Syracuse winning the first game 3-1, and falling the next day 5-3.
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