Syracuse salvages the weekend with a 1-1 tie against Mercyhurst

By Luke Burgess | @BurgessLuke03

Citrus TV Women’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter

ERIE, PA —Syracuse (9-18-2, 6-5-1 in CHA) has a lot of quality players, but none of them performed to the level that Goaltender Arielle DeSmet played at on Sunday afternoon. The Grad Student made 50 saves in the draw. 

SU Head Coach Britini Smith admitted that DeSmet was the heart of the team. She said that the team goes when DeSmet does, and she was certainly going tonight. 

Syracuse’s road schedule now comes to an end, as they play their final five games of the season. The next two come this upcoming weekend against number 12 Penn State. The Nittany Lions have only lost one conference game all season, Syracuse will be looking to increase that number. 

In the simplest terms possible The Cuse will have a chance to win if DeSmet gives them one, she’s the heartbeat of the squad, and when she makes saves the team responds. 

It was Sarah Marchand who netted the lone goal for the Orange and played an overall strong game for Syracuse. Goals have been hard to come by lately for Syracuse, that’ll need to change against Penn State, a squad that scores a lot and doesn’t conceded. 

Special teams are also a focal point for Syracuse, yesterday they went 0-6, and today 1-3. 1-9 on the Powerplay is a pretty poor showing for the weekend, and with the schedule only increasing in difficulty, there must be a more concerted effort to capitalize. One of the keys to doing so is quicker passing in the attacking zone, if Syracuse can move the puck more effectively and quickly, they will surely see results.

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ljburges@syr.edu | @BurgessLuke03