Freshmen Lisa Mullan and Megan Skelly celebrate the first goal scored at the Onondaga County War Memorial against Mercyhurst three weeks ago. Skelly and Mullan rank one and two, respectively, in the Syracuse points lead.
Icers Gear Up for Mercyhurst Rematch this Weekend
12/4/2008 8:58:35 AM | Ice Hockey
After three straight victories, the Orange hit a bit of a snag in its last four regular season outings. The Orange took a break from regular season play to combat two squads from Ottawa, Ontario for the first international play in program history. The two exhibition contests took place over Thanksgiving weekend and got the team into gear for the CHA rematch against Mercyhurst this weekend. Syracuse and Mercyhurst collided in mid-November and the Orange is not only looking to get back on the winning track, but seeking to avenge two early setbacks against the Lakers earlier in the season.
Exploring SU's Exhibition
Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Orange put down the turkey and took part in two exhibition games in Canada's capital, Ottawa, Ontario. On Saturday evening, the Orange outshot Carelton University 31-12 en route to a 3-1 victory at the Ice House. Sophomore Julie Rising scored the first goal of the contest in short-handed fashion. The Ravens tipped in the equalizer, but freshman Kylie Klassen tallied the game-winner with 10:21 to go in the game. First-year defender Kelly Dimmen assured the Orange victory with a powerplay marker in the waning moments. Junior Alison Lee started in net and played the entire contest for the first time all season. Lee thwarted 11shots in her 60 minutes. The following day, the Orange was clipped by the University of Ottawa Gee Gees, 4-3, in overtime at the U of O Sports Complex. Freshman Janelle Malcolm potted two goals in exhibition while sophomore co-captain Stefanie Marty added the third. Malcolm attacked the net first for Syracuse to tie the game 1-1. Marty and Malcolm teamed up for two more consecutive goals for the 3-1 advantage, but Ottawa forced overtime with two late goals and eventually claimed the contest 4:11 into the extra frame. Freshman netminder Steph Jones was handed the goaltending duties on Sunday afternoon. It was her first full game in cage, as she stopped 21-of-25 blasts she faced.
Freshman Sensation, Megan Skelly
Freshman Megan Skelly notched her fifth assist of the season on linemate Stefanie Marty's goal against Wayne State last Friday night to take over sole possession of the Orange team-points lead with 11. The Taber, Alberta native tied SU's longest pointstreak with five games, but had her stretch of tallies snapped on Saturday night. The first-year winger currently sits amongst all freshmen in the CHA in points. Her 0.85 points per game is the best in the league of all first-year skaters through the eighth week of competition. Nationally, Skelly is the 16th most efficient freshman point scorer and 82nd overall. She is also ranked 44th in the nation with 0.46 goals per game.
Chits in the CHA
In the Wayne State series two weekends ago, nine different Orange skaters tallied their first points in conference play. Freshmen Kylie Klassen and Kelly Dimmen tickled the twine for their first CHA powerplay goals while first-year winger Janelle Malcolm and sophomore forward Keeta Koalska each tallied their first goals in conference competition. Senior blueliner Rachel Tilford, sophomores Cheyenne Bojeski and Julie Rising and freshman Jessica Frump all attained their first assists in CHA play while sophomore forward Rebecca Gordon offered up two assists in the two-game series in the Motor City.
Power Play Plusses
The Syracuse powerplay unit was in full force in Detroit two weeks ago. The Orange took advantage of its extra-man opportunities in both contests against Wayne State. On Friday night, Syracuse busted the back of the net twice in powerplay opportunities. Freshman Kylie Klassen netted her second goal of the season in powerplay fashion while co-captain Stefanie Marty knocked in her fourth goal of the season. Marty's marker was her first powerplay goal for Syracuse. On Saturday, defenseman Kelly Dimmen beat Wayne State netminder Delayne Brian during the powerplay for her first career goal with Syracuse.
'Cuse Originals
Once again, the Orange was able to maintain a steady flow of player and program firsts against Wayne State. Two student-athletes scored their first goals this weekend. Sophomore Keeta Koalska and freshman Kelly Dimmen scored goals on Friday and Saturday night, respectively. Freshman Kylie Klassen and sophomore Stefanie Marty each notched their first powerplay goals for the Orange. Sophomore Rebecca Gordon set up two scoring plays over the weekend, securing her first two-point streak of the season. Freshman Jessica Frump attained her first career assist for Syracuse.
Schoedel Lands on a Milestone
Junior Lucy Schoedel made 51 total saves two weekends ago. On Friday night, the Ithaca, N.Y. product made 16 saves in two periods of action and on Saturday, Schoedel stopped 35 pucks. Schoedel, who has started in every game for Syracuse, upped her career total to 350 total saves. The junior goaltender has logged 698:32 minutes of play, allowing 3.61 goals per game and saving 89.3% of the shots she's faced.
Jones Makes a Stand
Freshman goaltender Steph Jones earned time in her third game Friday night at Wayne State. Jones stood in net for the third period and made five saves without surrendering a shot. It marked the first time Jones did not allow a goal in a full period of play. She also played the full 60 minutes in the second exhibition match in Ottawa.
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