SU Beats Niagara On Scharfe's OT Goal

Saturday, February 25

Niagara Falls, NY

2 p.m.

Syracuse University

1-8-310-21-3; CHA

Niagara

3-6-310-15-8; CHA

OT 1

Syracuse

Niagara

Margot Scharfe scored her second game-winning goal of the 2011-12 campaign Saturday at Niagara.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

2/25/2012 5:54:18 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

Box Score | Season Stats

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – Sophomore Margot Scharfe scored a power-play goal 3:13 into overtime to lift Syracuse (10-21-3, 1-8-3 CHA) to a 2-1 victory against Niagara (10-15-8, 3-6-3) in the regular-season finale for both teams Saturday, Feb. 25 at Dwyer Arena. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Orange and gives the team some momentum heading into the upcoming College Hockey America (CHA) Tournament.

Scharfe's game-winner came after Niagara's Jessica Hitchcock was whistled for hooking 2:12 into the extra session. Following Hitchcock's penalty, Scharfe won the second of two faceoffs to gain possession for the Orange. A shot by junior Holly Carrie-Mattimoe was turned aside by Niagara goalie Abby Ryplanski, but Scharfe eventually collected the puck and scored unassisted to give the Orange its first conference win of the season.

Scharfe's game-winner was her 14th goal of the year, tying her with Mattimoe for team-high honors.

In addition to Scharfe's heroics, Syracuse received a stellar effort from its penalty-killing unit Saturday. The Orange successfully killed seven Niagara power-play chances, including one at the start of overtime to set the stage for Scharfe's winner.

The game was a tightly-contested defensive battle the entire way and offensive opportunities were hard to come by. The two teams combined for 13 penalties and just 45 shots on goal (25 for Niagara and 20 for Syracuse) in the contest.

Syracuse and Niagara managed just five total shots on goal in the first period, but the Orange held a 1-0 lead after the first 20 minutes on a goal by rookie forward Shiann Darkangelo with 3:33 to play in the period.

Niagara responded with a short-handed goal in the second to tie the game, 1-1. With Syracuse on the power play, the Purple Eagles blocked a shot by Orange sophomore Caitlin Roach. Niagara gained possession and Jocey Kleiber fed Kayla Raniwsky, who scored 8:18 into the period to even the score.

Both sides registered seven shots on goal in the third period, but the game remained tied until Scharfe's tally in overtime ended it.

For Syracuse, sophomore goaltender Jenesica Drinkwater made 24 saves, including 14 in the second period, to earn her fourth win of the season.

Ryplanski finished with 18 saves for Niagara.

The Orange is the No. 4 seed in this year's CHA Tournament, which gets underway Friday, March 2 in Moon Township, Pa. Syracuse will face league regular-season champion and No. 1 seed Mercyhurst in Friday's first semifinal. The second semifinal features No. 2 seed Robert Morris versus No. 3 seed Niagara. The winners advance to the CHA championship game on Saturday, March 3.