Orange Offense Struggles in the 3rd Period, Syracuse Loses 5-3 to Princeton

By Eric Moon

CitrusTV Women’s Ice Hockey Reporter

Syracuse, NY – With eleven minutes and 31 seconds remaining in the third period, Syracuse trailed Princeton 3-2. Kelli Rowswell threw the puck towards the net and Emma Polaski’s redirected backhand shot was denied by the right pad of Rachel McQuigge.

The Orange would not get another shot on goal for more than nine minutes.

Syracuse (4-7-1, 4-2-0 College Hockey America), scored a late goal, but the orange ultimately suffered a 5-3 loss to Princeton (4-2-2, 3-0-1 Eastern College Athletic Conference). For the second day in a row, SU outshot the Tigers 29-19 but couldn’t find the back of the net when it mattered most. The Orange trailed for 58:05 out of the 60 minutes played and Head Coach Paul Flanagan said the offense struggled most with passing, especially near the Princeton net.

“We really struggled there for half of the game,” Flanagan said. “Either passes weren’t tape-to-tape or it was in somebody’s feet.”

Marielle McHale says Syracuse needs to keep pressuring the front of the net for offensive success.

“I think we just need to keep going to the net,” McHale said. “That’s what we stressed a lot all week.”

The missed opportunities proved costly for SU because one goal would’ve made the difference. The final Princeton goal was scored with an empty Syracuse net.

With the Tigers scoring first, the Orange are now 0-6-1 in games in which their opponent scores first. Flanagan says Syracuse needs the quick start on the scoreboard.

“Next Friday night, we got to score first,” said Flanagan. “For us, maybe it’s just that momentum that our kids needed.”

On the Princeton side, Maggie Connors (one goal, one assist) and Carly Bullock (two assists) each recorded multi-point games. Credit is due for goalie Rachel McQuigge this weekend. She made 57 saves on 60 shots in total in both games (.950 Save Percentage).

SU’s home struggles continued in Sunday’s loss. Syracuse is now 0-4-1 at Tennity Ice Pavilion this season. The Orange also lost its exhibition match on home ice. Overall, SU has been outscored 17-8 at Tennity this season.

Flanagan says the home record is not something his team dwells on. Keep in mind, Syracuse has faced, Mercyhurst, No. 3 Clarkson, and now Princeton on home ice this season, three teams that have either been ranked or received votes in the top-10 poll.

The Orange stay home for its next tilt against conference foe RIT (2-6-4, 0-2-0 CHA). The Tigers, however, are easily the weakest opponent Syracuse has faced at Tennity. RIT averages less than two goals per game on offense. The Orange host the Tigers Friday at 7 p.m.

ewmoon@syr.edu I @ericmoon22