Women’s Ice Hockey Falls 5-1 to Northeastern

By Sam Rothman

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse’s offensive struggles were evident as it suffered another 5-1 loss Saturday against Northeastern.

Maddi Welch replaced Abbey Miller in net for the Orange after Miller gave up three goals on seven shots in Friday’s matchup.

Head Coach Paul Flanagan said he felt he needed to give Miller some well-deserved rest.

“I think she has gotten a little tired,” Flanagan said. “She has been a little beat up physically.”

Syracuse had seven power plays in the game, yet converted on just one. Northeastern had five finishing net three times.

Northeastern’s Lauren Kelly received the first penalty of the game, as she was called for hooking at 4:52 of the first period. The Orange again was not able to capitalize on the power play, and the Huskies built momentum after a strong penalty kill.

SU’s Megan Quinn took an interference penalty two minutes later and Brooke Hobson scored a power-play goal to give Northeastern the 1-0 advantage. Syracuse turned the puck over to Matti Hartman who put it past Welch to extend the lead to 2-0.

It was the same storyline for the Orange from the previous matchup, as the Huskies scored two straight goals in the first period to grab the lead and never looked back.

Victoria Klimek tallied the only goal for the Orange on the power play with 25 seconds left in the period. Klimek has now scored three power play goals in three straight games.

The second period began with both teams exchanging chances on either side of the rink, which were denied by both goaltenders. Northeastern came close to regaining the two goal advantage with a shot from the point that got through, but a great kick save by Welch kept the game 2-1.

Six penalties were called in the second period as the game became more physical. Kelli Rowswell took two of those penalties in the period.

“I think I just need to need to keep my feet moving,” said Rowswell. “A lot of them were stick penalties.”

Northeastern capitalized on two of its three power play opportunities in the period, taking a 4-1 advantage into the locker room after the second period.

The Huskies extended its lead seconds after Rowswell had finished serving her third penalty of the game. Andrea Renner scored Northeastern’s fifth goal of the game after a mishap right in front of Welch.

Lindsay Eastwood had a chance to tally another goal on a breakaway after the Huskies turned the puck over. Eastwood was all alone in front of Northeastern goaltender Brittany Bugalski, but her shot hit the crossbar.

Jessica DiGirolamo also had another opportunity to cut into the Huskies’ lead with 11:56 left in regulation. She was awarded a penalty shot after Northeastern covered the puck with a hand in the crease, but DiGirolamo’s backhander was denied by Bugalski and Syracuse would lose its second straight game 5-1.

Head Coach Paul Flanagan says his team suffered on the power play and the penalty kill in the weekend series.

“Special teams just ended up being the difference,” said Flanagan. “I think five on five it was a pretty even series back and forth.”

The Orange has a 13-day break to improve its special teams before hosting Boston College on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 3 p.m.