Syracuse is Shut Out, Loses in CHA Final
Erie, PA — Syracuse (12-9-1, 8-7-1 CHA) entered this game red-hot. The Orange were riding a nine-game win streak and had outscored their opponents 9-2 in the CHA Tournament. However, even with thirteen different players having points in this tournament run, SU just could not generate any offense. Syracuse lost in the CHA Final 1-0 to Robert Morris (16-7-1, 12-7-1 CHA). Allison Small started in net for SU and made 34 saves in the defeat.
The first period started with a lot of energy. Both teams were flying up and down the ice, and a scramble in front led to the first and only goal of the game. A shot from the left circle hit off the boards behind the net, and Gillian Thompson was there to put away the rebound. This marked the first time that Syracuse had ever trailed in the tournament. Following that goal, Robert Morris put on the pressure. Allison Small was forced to make save after save, which included finding herself in the middle of some scrambles in the blue paint. The first intermission had Robert Morris up by one.
In the second period, Syracuse tried to make a push early. Anna Leschyshyn had a glorious opportunity on a 2-on-1, but her shot was saved by RMU’s netminder Raygan Kirk. Kirk was sharp in this one as she made 36 saves and did not allow a puck across the goal line. Syracuse could not convert on two powerplays in this period, and the second break still had Robert Morris in the lead.
Syracuse had one more period to tie this contest up but ultimately came up short. Junior Abby Moloughney had two glorious opportunities. One came with 12:30 left in the period on a backhand from the slot that was saved. The other close chance came with 20 seconds left, where the forward had a wide-open net and hit the post. Forward Sarah Thompson missed wide on a 2-on-1, and Syracuse finished the CHA Tournament as the runner-ups to Robert Morris.
