Offensive Breakthrough Fuels Syracuse Comeback, OT Victory For First Win

By Eric Moon

CitrusTV Women’s Ice Hockey Reporter

St. Charles, MO – Less than a half of a period remained in regulation and Lindenwood had just scored to take a 3-1 lead over Syracuse (1-3, 1-2). It looked like a newer version of the same story for the Orange, having scored only the one goal on 31 shots on goal. SU simply couldn’t finish. Then, in a major breakthrough this season, pucks started going in the net in an eventual 5-4 win for Syracuse (1-3, 1-2 College Hockey America) over Lindenwood (1-4, 0-1).

In the span of two minutes, Syracuse scored not one, not two, but three times to take a 4-3 lead. The tying goal was SU’s first goal at even strength this season in the team’s fourth game.

Lindenwood was able to tie the game and force overtime on a shorthanded goal, but the Orange weren’t phased.

In overtime with less than two minutes to play, Redshirt Junior Lindsay Eastwood scored the game winner to give Syracuse a 5-4 victory, its first win of the season and first conference win.

The Orange offensive pressure was dominant throughout the entire game. In total, SU outshot the Lions 43-16.

One constant for Syracuse through four games has been the power play, and it was no different. The Orange went 2-for-5 Friday and are now 5-for-14 (35.7 percent) on the season. The conversion percentage ranks first by more than 15 percent in the CHA.

Meanwhile, between the pipes, Head Coach Paul Flanagan went with Junior Ady Cohen. Cohen was coming off her first collegiate start in which she made 23 saves on 24 shots.

In her second collegiate start, Cohen surrendered four goals on 16 shots. The junior goalie did not have to make too many saves however because Orange defense blocked an astounding 19 Lindenwood shot attempts.

Syracuse looks to keep up the momentum Saturday night in the weekend series finale at Lindenwood. The puck drops at 8 p.m eastern time.

ewmoon@syr.edu I @ericmoon22