Syracuse Season Ends in Defeat
By Brandon Ross
Syracuse’s seniors entered Friday on a mission. Having lost in the College Hockey America championship game three years in a row, they wanted one last opportunity to bring home the trophy. Unfortunately, they won’t get the chance, as SU lost a 4-2 overtime thriller in the semifinal game against Mercyhurst.
The Orange scored first, with Emma Polaski providing an early lead. SU had done well in the past with early leads, finishing 10-4-2 in the regular season when scoring first. But a back and forth in the final two periods of regulation sent the game into overtime.
The Lakers sealed the game with only a few minutes left of OT, as Emma Nuutinen knocked the puck in the top right corner to send Mercyhurst to the championship game against Robert Morris.
Syracuse goalie Edith D’Astous-Morea needed to provide a lot of damage control, as she stopped 40 pucks aside from the three goals she allowed, including 15 in overtime before the game-deciding goal was scored.
Thought SU did well on the scoreboard, the team did not put up a shot barrage, only put up 21 shots on goal in regulation and overtime.
Despite the loss, the Orange played well on special teams, scoring on one of four power play opportunities and going six for seven on the penalty kill.
The loss marks the end of the college careers of seniors Abbey Miller, Stephanie Grossi, Alysha Burriss, Dakota Derrer, and Megan Quinn, and they finish without a CHA Championship.
