Vermont tops Syracuse in offensive battle

Saturday, November 15

Syracuse, NY

3 pm

Syracuse University

3-6-5 (2-1-1CHA)

Vermont

8-4-1 (1-2-0WHEA)

Vermont

Syracuse

11/15/2014 7:22:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

Cuse falls for second-straight night to the Catamounts

Despite the Orange scoring four goals or more for the third-consecutive game, the Syracuse hockey team (3-6-5, 2-1-1 CHA) fell to Vermont (8-4-1, 1-2-0 WHEA) 5-4 on Saturday in the finale of Syracuse's seven-game home stand.

Links: Highlights | Coach Flanagan Press Conference

After the Catamounts took an early 2-0 lead on a pair of goals from Amanda Pelkey in the first eight minutes, junior Melissa Piacentini got the Orange on the board after being set up by Stephanie Grossi and Nicole Renault.

The assist was one of two for Grossi on the day, which marked her third-straight game with multiple points.

It would take just 16 seconds for the Catamounts to get back on the board after Piacentini's goal, with Brittany Zuback finding the back of the net for Vermont.

The Syracuse power play unit came up big once again after scoring three man-up goals on Friday, with senior Julie Knerr finding the back of the net after feeds from Piacentini and Grossi.

After a defensive battle in the second period – resulting in the first scoreless period on the weekend between the two teams – in which Syracuse killed off nearly 1:30 of 5-on-3 hockey, the Orange came out firing in the third period.

Jessica Sibley tied the game at three 2:36 into the third, with helpers from Emily Costales and Alysha Burriss and Nicole Renault gave Syracuse its first lead 1:01 later on a rifled shot from the point that snuck into the top shelf after being set up by Piacentini.

The lead wouldn't last long though, as Casey Leville scored a short-handed goal to tie the game at four and Amanda Drobot scored the eventual game-winner for the Catamounts within the span of two minutes midway through the period.

After pulling goaltender Jenn Gilligan late in the third, Syracuse nearly tied it up but couldn't jam the puck across before time expired.

The Orange will now hit the road for five straight, beginning with a trip to conference rival Robert Morris on Friday.