High Emotions Cap Heartfelt Weekend in 5-1 Win on Senior Day, Last Home Game of Season

By David Edelstein

CitrusTV Ice Hockey Reporter

An explosive second period led Syracuse (10-19-3, 10-6-2 College Hockey America) to a 5-1 win over Lindenwood (7-20-3, 3-13-2 College Hockey America) on Saturday in a matinee full of emotion. As the last home game of the season, the Orange celebrated senior day, recognizing defender and team captain Allie Munroe, forward Sarah Stuehr, defender Dakota Derrer, forward Brooke Avery and goaltender Maddi Welch.

The orange-colored away sweaters of each graduating player, paired with individualized posters, hung on the outside of the glass next to the Syracuse bench  for the entirety of the game.

Before starting lineups were announced, each of the five was recognized on the ice. Each player had a brief biography announced over the PA system, received a bouquet of flowers and took their picture with family members and friends who came to the game.

Then, the seniors played in their final home game for Syracuse at Tennity Ice Pavilion.

“It was really awesome. We all got the chance to be on the ice together for the last time, and be in a home game and we’re winning this weekend. It was a good sendoff for us,” Stuehr said

“It’s, honestly, I can’t really put it into words. It’s been an incredible three years here,” Avery said. “The support that we’ve gotten from our teammates and the fans and the families has just been incredible. And it’s really nice that every senior’s parents could make it today, so I think that that just makes it that much more special.”

“It’s bittersweet. I’m going to miss it so much,” Munroe said. “You know, I was really emotional before the game, and I’m just looking to enjoy it with my family. But I’m just so thankful for everyone here and for them. The coaches gave me the opportunity. I’ll never be able to repay them. All the relationships I made here, it’s special for life. So, bleed Orange forever.”

“I’m just really grateful for the team that I’ve had these last four years. Everyone that’s come before me, everyone this year. I’m just really grateful. It was really emotional for all of us,” Welch said.

Derrer was not available for comment after the game because she did not play. She suffered a season-ending injury in early November.

The game itself was full of high emotions and intensity as well.

Syracuse led in shots on goal, 10-3, in the first period, but both teams went into the first intermission with no score.

The ice opened up in the second frame, though, as five total goals were scored.

The first three goals of the game were all scored within less than three minutes of each other. Kelli Rowswell opened scoring 4:59 into period two, and then Victoria Klimek added another a minute later in to give SU a 2-0 lead. Courtney Ganske responded for the Lions 7:37 into the second period to cut the Orange’s lead in half.

SU would net two more before the second frame would end as Abby Moloughney and Logan Hicks each potted one in to put the Orange on top 4-1.

Moloughney was not done yet as she scored her second goal of the game on a power play goal with 2:20 left in regulation to make the score 5-1 Orange.

The win caps off a weekend series where Syracuse scored 10 total goals and saw its players earn a total of 25 points. Moloughney (3 goals, 2 assists) and Emma Polaski (1 goal, 4 assists) each led SU with five total points over the two games.

Syracuse is now tied for second place in the CHA with Mercyhurst with 22 points, trailing first place Robert Morris by three points. SU plays its final two games of the season against the Colonials in Pittsburgh, the first of which is Friday at 7:00 p.m.

The CHA tournament will begin Wednesday, March 6 in Buffalo.

dzedelst@syr.edu | @DavidZEdelstein