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On Feb. 7, 2024, Syracuse found itself on the outside of the playoff bubble, looking in, needing almost perfection in its final four contests of the season. But instead, it got pretty much the opposite.

The Orange fell in three of four games to close out the year, which included two heartbreaking one-goal losses to RIT and Mercyhurst. The lapse resulted in SU missing the postseason picture for the first time in program history.

Fast forward a year later to Friday, and Syracuse’s situation was far less dire. With the rules of their new conference, the Atlantic Hockey America, the Orange were promised at least a seat at the table come playoff time in 2024-25. Although its position as a playoff contender was sealed, SU still looked to maintain its grasp on third place in the AHA with a road victory against Robert Morris.

In its first trip to western Pennsylvania this season, Syracuse (11-20-0, 9-8-0 AHA) defeated RMU (8-20-3, 2-13-2 AHA) 4-1, marking its third victory in a row over the Colonials by the same score. The result also locked in SU’s first season-series win against RMU since the 2015-16 season.

During the first five minutes of play, it was a feeling-out process on both sides. The Colonials fired the game’s first shots from range toward SU goalie Allie Kelley, but each was effortlessly turned aside. Up until 6:13 into the first period, Syracuse’s offense appeared absent. But as has been the case multiple times throughout the season, Syracuse’s first power play chance of the game allowed its attackers to settle in and give it an early lead.

Stickhandling the puck, SU forward Jackson Kinsler sent a pass to Tatum White, who sat unguarded at the left side of the net. With open ice around her, she delivered a pretty feed to Bryn Saarela, who tipped the puck past Colonials goalie Maggie Hatch.

Despite falling behind 1-0, RMU appeared unphased and continued to create offensive looks from close and distance. Eventually, its efforts culminated in a two-on-one break into the Orange’s zone midway through the period. Set up by Morgan Giannone, RMU forward Mya Neugent capitalized on the chance to tie the game at one.

Building off the momentum, the Colonials continued to apply pressure on SU’s defensive front with their first player-up opportunity. RMU mustered three shots throughout, but blocks by SU defender Charli Kettyle held the assault at bay as the Orange killed off the power play.

With 1:06 left on the clock, Syracuse reclaimed its lead, and this time, its offensive weapons didn’t need a power play as a handicap. After taking a pass from Saarela in stride, White buried her own rebound past Hatch as both players notched their second point of the period.

Although they regained the lead 2-1, the Orange were forced into a tough spot as they transitioned to the second period. Following an uncharacteristic game misconduct by Kelley, SU was tasked with killing off a five-minute major to start the middle frame. Kelley was also ejected from the contest, forcing sophomore Bella Gould to take over in goal for the first time since Jan. 18.

After observing Kelley for most of her career as SU’s backup, Gould showed in the second period against RMU she’d learned from SU’s longtime starter. She was tested early with three Colonial chances within her first five minutes between the pipes. But similar to Kelley, Gould projected calmness in goal and made the saves she needed to for the Orange. Her efforts allowed them to kill off Robert Morris’ five-minute power play.

At the other end of the ice, Syracuse’s attack once again found itself on the power play as the Colonials were assessed a five-minute major penalty of their own. With what felt like all the time in the world to set up a scoring play, SU’s unit didn’t waste the chance.

Setting up shop in the offensive end, SU defender Jessica Cheung cycled the puck back to forward Nea Tervonen as she skated to the top of the Colonials’ zone. Releasing a wicked wrist shot through the traffic, her attempt found twine and extended SU’s lead to 3-1. By the end of the second period, Syracuse sat pretty on the shot clock, too. Entering the third period, SU held a 22-18 edge in shots on goal.

After both teams combined for eight penalties through the first two periods, five-on-five hockey remained hard to come by in the final frame. During the first eight minutes alone, the Orange and Colonials combined for three penalties. Each side eventually finished the contest with seven and six, respectively.

This season, the Colonials rank second-to-last in almost every statistical category in the AHA. However, RMU’s ability to cut off opponents’ shooting lanes has been its calling card. Before Friday’s matchup, it led the NCAA in blocks with 615.

Down two with 20 minutes left, this trait came in handy for the Colonials. Assisted by key saves by Hatch, the Colonials shut out the Orange for the majority of the third period.

However, Syracuse’s defense was equally as strong in the game’s final stretch. Backed by Gould’s 11 saves, SU held RMU scoreless in the game’s final stanza and sealed its 4-1 victory with a Kettyle empty-netter.

Published on February 7, 2025 at 10:23 pm

Contact Matthew: mgray06@syr.edu