SU Defense Holds Strong, Syracuse Tops Penn State 1-0

By Eric Moon

CitrusTV Women’s Ice Hockey Reporter

Centre County, PA – Syracuse (3-6, 3-2 College Hockey America) began a weekend series on the road with a 1-0 win at Penn State (4-6-1, 0-3 CHA) on Saturday. It was the first shutout of the season for the Orange and the third of Senior Maddi Welch’s career. Welch made every save she needed to and the players in front of her took care of business, especially in the third period.

Welch had already made 17 of her 18 saves in the first two periods. In the third, offense proved to be the best defense for the Orange. Syracuse kept the puck in the Nittany Lion end of the ice for the majority of the period, outshooting Penn State 12-1.

Despite the win, the Syracuse offense was unable to finish given its opportunities. The Orange outshot the Nittany Lions 29-18 and only Junior Anonda Hoppner was able to beat Penn State goalie Jenna Brenneman.

Hoppner’s tally came on the power play, an advantage that has been lethal for SU so far this season. Syracuse is 9-for-35 (26%) this season, the highest scoring percentage on the player advantage in the conference.

On the Penn State side, the Nittany Lions continue to compete with every team they play. Seven of Penn State’s eleven games this season have been decided by one goal or less, including Saturday’s game.

However, PSU’s record in games decided by a goal or less is 1-5-1 this season.

Syracuse still trails Robert Morris (6-5-1, 4-1-1 CHA) by three points for second in the conference behind Mercyhurst (5-5, 5-1 CHA).

After two straight losses to open conference play, the Orange have rattled off three wins in a row to move above .500 in the CHA for the first time this season.

The Orange can sweep the Nittany Lions in the weekend series tomorrow afternoon at 2pm.

ewmoon@syr.edu I @ericmoon22