No. 10 Colgate Special Teams Too Much For Syracuse to Handle, Orange Lose Eighth Straight

By Eric Moon

CitrusTV Women’s Ice Hockey Reporter

Hamilton, NY – Syracuse (4-14-1, 4-3-0 College Hockey America) extended its losing streak to eight games in a 4-2 loss to No. 10 Colgate (11-5-1, 5-2-1 Eastern College Athletic Conference).

All three Raider goals were scored either on the power play or on the penalty kill with the exception of an empty-net goal late in the third period. The special teams proved to be the difference in the game.

Malia Schneider scored both Colgate goals on the power play, a player advantage that went 2-for-4 on Saturday. The Raiders added one more on the penalty kill from Jessie Eldridge. Eldridge’s shorthanded goal was her third against the Orange in two games this season.

Meanwhile, the Syracuse power play actually had more opportunities than the Colgate power play, but the Orange couldn’t convert any of their five chances. However, SU scored a shorthanded goal of its own when Kelli Rowswell scored her first of the season on a breakaway.

Otherwise, Saturday’s game, was very evenly matched. The shots were even at 25 apiece, both goalies made more than 20 saves, and only one goal was scored at even strength in the contest. Anonda Hoppner, a Colgate transfer, scored that one against her former team midway through the third period.

Syracuse’s eight-game losing streak is now the longest in program history. The previous record was a six game losing streak Oct. 1-17, 2008, the first six games in team history.

The Orange have time to recover before the games count again. Syracuse plays an exhibition series in Montreal Dec. 28-30 then resumes regular season play against RPI Jan. 8.

ewmoon@syr.edu I @ericmoon22