Syracuse Upset Bid Snubbed Late, Fall to 0-4 on the Season

By Noah Cierzan

CitrusTV Women’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter

Despite losing its first three contests of the season, Syracuse Women’s Ice Hockey has played good hockey in parts of each of those games, coming very close to pulling off the upset.

Friday provided another chance for SU to get over the hump against a Top-10 opponent. But instead, Syracuse (0-4, 0-0 College Hockey America) fell to No. 3 Northeastern (2-0, 0-0 Hockey East) 2-1 after the Huskies scored the game-winning goal with 23 seconds left in the game.

Syracuse took the lead over halfway through the third period after a Kristen Siermachesky snipe. The Huskies then capitalized off a controversial penalty to tie the game up. Like many SU fans, head coach Paul Flanagan was unhappy with the call.

“That’s just a bad call, and I told him that at center ice,” said Flanagan.

Syracuse had 19 penalty minutes in the game, something they have struggled with all season. Flanagan preaches that his team must be more disciplined because when the Orange are constantly trying to kill power plays, his players get tired.

Syracuse now sports an 0-4 record, but Flanagan isn’t worried as playing tough teams in the non-conference slate helps the team improve for the future.

“There’s teams in our league that schedule teams they know they can beat,” said Flanagan. “I’d rather us schedule tough competition.”

Goaltender Allison Small agreed that the teams record is not indicative of their skill level.

“Our whole team is firing on all cylinders, and I think our record is not fair for us,” said Small. “I think we’re going to make some heads turn this season for sure.”

Small’s career-high 36 saves was a big reasons why Syracuse was able to stick around.

“It’s just so comforting knowing she’s on her game back there, and if you do make that mistake, she’s got your back,” said defenseman Lindsay Eastwood.

Small and Ady Cohen have been splitting time in net this year, but Flanagan was impressed with Small’s performance on Friday.

“That was an outstanding effort. She looked like she was moving well, responding well, recovering well and covering the puck,” said Flanagan. “There’s a good chance we’ll see her back in net tomorrow.”

Syracuse has another crack at No. 3 Northeastern on Saturday, where they will look to get their first win of the season.

ncierzan@syr.edu l @ncierzan