Syracuse University
12-15-6, 6-6-3CHA
Niagara
11-15-5, 8-5-2CHA
Welch's Overtime Heroics Lift Orange
2/25/2011 10:17:36 PM | Ice Hockey
Syracuse 2, Niagara 1 OT l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Sophomore Kelsey Welch scored with 2.7 seconds remaining in the overtime period to lift Syracuse (12-15-6, 6-6-3) past Niagara (11-15-5, 8-5-2), 2-1, on Friday at Tennity Ice Pavilion. The win marked the Orange's first overtime victory of the season.
The last time SU earned an overtime win was on January 5, 2010 when the Orange upset then-No.8 Cornell on its home ice, 2-1. The Orange has tied in six out of its seven overtime matchups this season. Syracuse has come out on the winning end of four overtime games in program history.
Niagara and Syracuse were tied 1-1 with six minutes remaining in regulation and neither team could manage to break the tie.
The only shot taken by either team in extra minutes proved to be the game winning score for the Orange. With time running out, SU's Ashley Cockell gained possession of the puck and advanced up the ice. Cockell passed the puck to freshman Brittney Krebs who set up Welch for the score with 2.7 seconds remaining in overtime. Krebs earned her first career assist on the game-winning score.
For the first time in five games, Syracuse registered the first score of the night. Freshman Margot Scharfe gave SU an early 1-0 lead just 4:39 into the first period. The Orange's offense overpowered Niagara in the opening period, holding a 14-5 advantage in shots.
Despite being outshot 11-7 in the second period, SU's defense held the Purple Eagles scoreless and maintained its 1-0 lead at the second intermission.
Niagara's Kaleigh Chippy evened the score with 6:01 remaining in regulation on a power-play opportunity. The Purple Eagles went 1-7 on man-up opportunities and held Syracuse scoreless on the power-play.
Freshman goaltender Kallie Billadeau recorded 22 saves in the win, including 15 during Niagara power-plays.
Niagara and Syracuse will meet again on the ice tomorrow at 2 p.m. at Tennity Ice Pavilion for both teams final regular-season contests. SU will honor its three seniors, Cockell, Stefanie Marty and Julie Rising prior to the start of the game.
