No Crossbar Needed: Syracuse Fends Off Post in Season Opener

By Andrew Della Piana | @dellie_5

WATERBURY, C.T. – For Syracuse women’s ice hockey, last season’s CHA Semifinal loss to Mercyhurst left it with a sour taste. Six months later, SU responded by defeating Post 2-0 on the road to ring in the new campaign.

The Orange and Eagles went into the first intermission scoreless, even though Syracuse had 16 shots on goal compared to Post’s three. 

In the middle frame, SU capitalized on its momentum from the first period to quickly open the second. The ‘Cuse hounded Post and forced multiple turnovers in the neutral zone, which led to five shots in three minutes, all of which Post netminder Grace Glasrud denied. The Orange finally broke through with 3:35 left on the clock after sophomore Heidi Knoll backhanded one to the back of the net to give the Orange a 1-0 edge heading into the final period.

The Ottawa native didn’t stop there, as she added an insurance goal for the Orange with less than 8 minutes remaining in the contest. The Orange worked the puck below the goal line, and defenseman Charlotte Hallett’s shot was deflected in front of the goal. St. Anselm transfer Allie Kelley sealed the game from there, posting a 9-save shutout in her first appearance dawning the orange and blue. Kelley finished 12th in the country with 5 shutouts last season and has already claimed her first just three hours into the campaign.

After Friday’s victory, Syracuse has not lost to Post in the last two years, giving it a 3-0 record versus the Eagles.

SU moves to 1-0 and aims to sweep Post tomorrow in Waterbury. The puck drops at 1:15 p.m. Follow @Dellie_5 on X for live in-game updates and coverage for everything Syracuse women’s ice hockey all semester long.

aedellap@syr.edu | @dellie_5