Syracuse Ice Hockey Dominates Post in a 10-0 Drubbing

By Ryan Nelson | @rtnelson18

CitrusTV’s Ice Hockey Beat Reporter

In their first action in over 13 days, Syracuse Ice Hockey looked as fresh as ever. The Orange (6-9-1, 4-0 in College Hockey America) took down Post University (1-12, 1-8 in New England Women’s Hockey Alliance) in dominant fashion, 9-0. 

Those nine goals are the most by a Syracuse team since the 2019-20 season. 

For Britni Smith’s squad, it started early and often. S-U scored five goals in the first period on 26 shots compared to the Eagles’ one shot on net. 

Madison Primeau continued her hot streak during this last stretch of the season. She took a pass from Erin Brousseau and threw it past Hannah Saunders, the Post netminder, to put Syracuse up 1-0 in the first two minutes. 

The Eagles took a cross-checking penalty and put the Orange on the power play. A unit that has been as successful as any other this year, Syracuse capitalized. 

After a flurry of shots on goal, Sarah Thompson buried the puck for S-U, giving them a two-goal advantage. 

From there on out, the Orange could have let off the gas pedal, yet instead, they put the pedal to the metal. 

Within two minutes of each other, Erin Brousseau and Gabby Dougherty potted their first goals of the season. 

Four goals in the first 13 minutes of the game was a start Syracuse could only dream of, but they weren’t done yet. 

Madison Primeau, fresh off her first goal of the day, in the waning moments, shot it past Saunders and gave the Orange a 5-0 lead heading into the first intermission. 

Those five goals for S-U are the most scored in a single game this season, and the Orange offense were able to accomplish it in less than a period. 

After the first intermission, a slow down offensively could be expected but not for Syracuse. 

Sarah Thompson was able to grab her second goal of the game, and the Orange were not done whatsoever. 

Up by six with just under 13 minutes left to go, Syracuse found more goal scorers. 

Sarah Marchand and Rhea Hicks earned their way into the box score each with a goal. The Orange would find themselves up 8-0 after 40 minutes of play. 

In the third period, it was just business as usual for Syracuse, but with a little less flair. 

Rayla Clemons scored just three minutes into the period to become the seventh goal scorer on her team. 

Sarah Thompson would take the opportunity on a Syracuse powerplay to give the team the tenth goal of the game and her third of the day. Thompson’s hat trick is the first of her college career. 

Her third goal would be the last of the day for Syracuse. 

Defensively, the Orange were able to hold back Post’s offense to almost nothing, only five shots faced by Ariella Merlino. Merlino, the first year goalkeeper, earned her first start and shutout for Syracuse. 

The Orange are back in action at the Tennity Ice Pavilion tomorrow. Syracuse hosts game two against Post University. 

Puck drop is set for 2:00 p.m.