Syracuse’s Home Struggles Continue in 6-4 Loss to RIT

By Eric Moon

CitrusTV Women’s Ice Hockey Reporter

SYRACUSE, NY — Four unanswered goals in the third period to gave RIT (3-6-4, 1-2-0 College Hockey America) their first conference win of the season on Friday, a demoralizing blow to a Syracuse (4-8-1, 4-3-0 CHA) team that has yet to win a game at home. The Orange drop to 0-5-1 at the Tennity Ice Pavilion after blowing a two goal lead with half a period to play. Overall, it was a night of missed opportunities for SU.

Syracuse had a golden opportunity to win their first game on home ice against an RIT team with the worst record among Orange opponents. The Tigers entered Friday’s match with only two wins on the season and averaged less than two goals scored per game.

In their last five games played prior to Friday, RIT averaged an astounding 43.4 shots against per game. Syracuse recorded 42 shots and though the Orange scored four goals, the offense slowed down late. When RIT when on a stretch of four unanswered goals, the Orange could only manage a single shot.

However, RIT deserves credit for their perseverance coming back from a two-goal deficit. The Tigers only won four games last season, and in the second month of the season, they can match that total with its next win.

One player in particular, Emma Polaski, had a career night for Syracuse. Polaski scored a natural hat trick, three consecutive goals to give the Orange a 4-2 lead in the third period. It was the first SU hat trick since Brooke Avery tallied three goals in the CHA tournament last season, also against RIT.

Syracuse looks bounce back next weekend at the Windjammer Classic in Burlington, VT. The Orange take on the Vermont Catamounts next Friday followed by a match against either No. 9 St. Lawrence or No. 2 Minnesota the next day.

ewmoon@syr.edu I @ericmoon22