Syracuse University
14-16-6, 7-6-3CHA
#4 Mercyhurst (No. 1 seed)
29-5-0, 16-0CHA
Orange Loses Heartbreaker in CHA Finals
3/5/2011 8:14:44 PM | Ice Hockey
Syracuse 4, Mercyhurst 5 l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse University women's ice hockey team lost a heartbreaker to No. 4 Mercyhurst, 5-4, in the College Hockey America (CHA) championship game on Saturday at Tennity Ice Pavilion. The Orange led by as much as two goals but could not hold off the nine-time CHA champions.
Syracuse took an early 2-0 lead in the first period. Just four minutes into the matchup, senior Stefanie Marty found the back of the net to put SU on the board first for the first time this season when facing Mercyhurst. With just over five minutes remaining in the opening period, freshman Margot Scharfe increased SU's advantage to two goals. Mercyhurst outshot the Orange 13-2 in the first 20 minutes, but SU capitalized on its chances, going 2-2 on the power-play.
In the second period, the CHA Player of the Year, Meghan Agosta, helped the Lakers even the playing field with two consecutive goals just 2:05 apart. Syracuse would not let Mercyhurst take the momentum as sophomore Isabel Menard regained the lead for SU, 3-2. On another SU power-play, senior Ashley Cockell swung the puck to Menrad who one-timed a shot that nicked the crossbar and went in.
With 30 seconds remaining in the second period, Mercyhurst tied the game for the second time with a man-up goal. Despite Mercyhurst outshooting Syracuse 36-13 through two periods, the Orange and the Lakers were knotted at three goals each heading into the second intermission.
Mercyhurst came out of the locker room strong in the third period and took its largest lead of the night, 5-3, scoring a pair of goals separated by just 21 seconds.
Syracuse haulted Mercyhurst's momentum once again with a man-up goal. At the 8:39 mark of the final period, senior Julie Rising brought the Orange within one, 5-4, with her power-play goal. Freshman goaltender Kallie Billadeau helped keep Syracuse in the game, making 20 saves in the third period.
SU attempted six shots in the last eight minutes of the contest but could not manage the game-tying score. The Orange went 4-8 overall on the power-play with each of its four goals coming on a man-up opportunity.
Billadeau finished with 41 saves in net to earn a spot on the six member CHA All-Tournament team. She made a total of 59 saves in the tournament and recorded one shutout. Joining Billadeau on the all-tournament squad were Menard and Cockell. Menard tallied two goals and an assist in two games, including the game-winner in the semifinal game versus Niagara. Cockell dished out two assists and had 10 blocks in the tournament.
The Orange finish the season 14-16-6 overall and 7-6-3 in CHA action.
