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At the 13:03 mark of the third period, Robert Morris’ Kaitlyn Schooley possessed the puck just inside SU’s defensive zone. Seeing an opening by the crease, Schooley wristed the puck through multiple Orange defenders making its way to Lindsey Smolen on the right doorstep of the goal. Smolen tipped the puck past SU goalie Allie Kelley, who was too slow to react, to give the Colonials a 3-2 lead.

The score by Smolen, the first of her career, put Robert Morris (6-6-0, 3-1-0 College Hockey America) ahead in a back-and-forth battle, a lead it would not relinquish in its 3-2 victory over Syracuse (3-9-1, 0-4-0 College Hockey America). After the game was tied through the first two periods, the Orange were outshot by the Colonials 16-4 in shots on goal in the third period, failing to convert scoring opportunities in crunch time. SU remains winless in conference play and have now lost five straight games.

After a 4-2 loss to RMU on Friday, the game’s opening period began with the Syracuse offense playing aggressive early as Rachel Teslak fired the first shot 42 seconds in. The attempt was blocked by forward Morgan Giannone.

Five minutes later, after a run of three shots by the Colonials, SU’s Darci Johal was penalized for high sticking, setting up RMU’s first power play 6:35 into the first period. The Syracuse defense held its own, clearing the puck three times. Mya Neugent fired the lone shot for RMU, but Kelley snagged the puck for the save, killing off RMU’s first power play.

At the 12:42 mark, Rayla Clemons streaked down the middle of the Colonials’ defensive zone, striking the puck from more than 20 feet out, but RMU goalie Maggie Hatch gloved it.

Five minutes later, after the two teams traded shots, Heidi Knoll was called for tripping, giving Robert Morris its second power play. Again, the Orange cleared the puck twice to kill it.

With a minute remaining in the first period, RMU’s Shailynn Snow was called for a boarding penalty, giving Syracuse its first player-advantage. On the ensuing possession, Teslak received the puck in open space, 20 feet from the cage, but reared back and missed the puck, failing to put a shot on goal.

Six minutes into the second period, Teslak possessed the puck just inside the blue line. Looking up the ice, Teslak swung the puck toward the goal. With Sarah Thompson on the doorstep, Thompson saw the incoming puck and tipped it past Hatch for SU’s first even strength goal of the series, giving Syracuse a 1-0 lead.

Forty seconds later, the Orange forced the puck back into RMU’s defensive zone. Johal dashed down the left side and delivered the puck to Holmes on the right side of the goal. Holmes fired but Hatch protected the net using her body.

Approaching the 11-minute mark of the second period, it was Robert Morris’ turn to pressure. The Colonials fired three shots within a six-second span, but Kelley stopped all three to keep the game at 1-0.

Two minutes later, the Colonials got out on a break led by Neugent. She carried the puck to the left side of the goal, with the lone SU defender Kailey Langefels racing back on her heels. Neugent crossed the puck to Snow on the right side who delivered a rocket to the top of the net, with Kelley guarding low. The score evened the game at 1-1.

RMU was first to pressure in the third period, applying four shots in the first two minutes. Kelley saved the first three and then Knoll got her body in front to body by Gillian Thompson.

Following the onslaught of shots, Haley Trudeau was called for hooking, setting up the third power play for the Colonials, but for the third time of the game, Syracuse killed it off.

The Colonials offense surged again in the ninth minute, striking four shots. After stopping the first three, SU let the fourth by. Madison Primeau received a pass from Smolen, slotting a shot past Kelley to give RMU a 2-1 lead.

Forty seconds later, though, Thalia D’Elia was called for body checking, setting up the Orange on their second power play. Langefels and Maya D’Arcy each received looks and fired wide on their shots 35 seconds into the power play.

Maintaining possession in the Colonials’ zone, D’Arcy worked the puck to Langefels at the top right of the zone. Langefels sent a one-timer to the top right corner of the net, converting the power play and tying the game at 2-2.

Three minutes later, Schooley found Smolen for the go-ahead goal and the Orange could not come up with a response. Thirteen seconds after the goal, Laura Eustace committed a cross-checking penalty, giving SU its third power play. Syracuse tallied four shots on the power play, but Teslak’s shot was the only one to make it on goal and it was corralled by Hatch.

With five seconds remaining, Syracuse swarmed Hatch in goal, with White and Holmes firing shots. But Hatch and the RMU defense walled up to secure the 3-2 victory.

Published on November 4, 2023 at 8:12 pm

Contact Timmy at: tswilcox@syr.edu | @TimmyWilcox32