Sibley’s OT Winner Sends Orange Past Robert Morris

Friday, October 30

Moon Township, PA

7:05 p.m.

Syracuse University

4-4-0 (2-0-0)CHA

Robert Morris

4-4-1 (0-1-0)CHA

OT 1

Syracuse

Robert Morris

Sibley’s OT Winner Sends Orange Past Robert Morris

10/30/2015 10:14:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

PITTSBURGH, Pa.- Junior Jessica Sibley delivered the game-winning goal in overtime for the Syracuse women's ice hockey team in College Hockey America play against Robert Morris on Friday night, lifting the Orange over the Colonials by a final score of 4-3.

Sibley buried the game winner just over a minute into the overtime period, keeping Syracuse (4-4, 2-0) perfect in CHA play. The win for the Orange snapped a four-game winning streak for Robert Morris (4-4, 0-1 CHA).

Sophomore Alysha Burriss put together herself a big game for the Orange, scoring two goals while also dishing out an assist, finishing with three points on the night. Both of Burriss' goals came in the second frame as she eventually tied the game up headed into the third period. Sophomore Dakota Derrer registered her first collegiate goal in the third period, giving Syracuse the go-ahead goal, but the Colonials eventually tied it up late in the frame to send the game into overtime.

"We had 13 overtime games last season and it was great to see how our kids responded to get two big points for us on the road," head coach Paul Flanagan said. "I thought our team did a really good job and kept a good focus. It was a great road win for us and I am sure RMU will be ready to come after us tomorrow."

Syracuse outshot the Colonials 36-21 in the contest. Senior netminder Jenn Gilligan made 18 saves in between the pipes while Robert Morris goaltender Jessica Dodds finished with 32.

RMU's Ashley Vesci opened up the scoring at the 7:33 mark in the first frame, beating Gilligan for the game's first goal and giving the Colonials a 1-0 lead after the first. Vesci had the first two goals of the game for the Colonials, offering a lot of offensive pressure up front.

Despite Vesci having a solid performance, Burriss one-upped her on the score sheet, starting at the 2:17 mark in the second period by ripping a shot past Dodds to tie the game at one. Vesci put the Colonials back up by a goal just over two minutes later, but it was Burriss again tying the game up. Burriss collected a pass from senior Danielle Leslie, blasting a shot past Dodds again, making it 2-2 after two.

"Alysha has been generating some solid chances in the early going, but in the last couple of games her chances have been grade A," Flanagan said. "Her timing tonight was very critical and was something we needed out of her."

Like how Sibley got the second period started, the Orange went back to work quickly in the third. Derrer gave Syracuse a 3-2 advantage 3:32 into the third frame, collecting a pass from Burriss, finding the back of the net for the first goal of her collegiate career.

Despite holding a 3-2 lead for majority of the third period, RMU eventually tied it up with three minutes left on an unfortunate bounce that trickled past Gilligan. It was Colonials' Mikaela Lowater with the goal, sending the game into overtime.

It did not take very long for Syracuse to come away with the result, as Sibley blasted a shot from the point that took an Orange bounce in front of the frame to beat Dodds. The Orange will quickly turnaround for tomorrow when they face off against Robert Morris for the second game of the weekend pair, which is slated for a 3:05 puck drop. Both live video and live stats can be accessed via Cuse.com.