‘Cuse Comes Up Short To #5 Clarkson In Season Opener

Tuesday, October 6

Syracuse, NY

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

0-1-0

Clarkson

3-0-0

Clarkson

Syracuse

‘Cuse Comes Up Short To #5 Clarkson In Season Opener

10/6/2015 10:31:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Syracuse women's ice hockey team battled against No. 5 Clarkson in its season opener on Tuesday night, but two power-play goals lifted the Golden Knights over the Orange by a final score of 3-1 inside the Tennity Ice Pavilion.

After trailing by two goals headed into the final frame, senior Melissa Piacentini brought Syracuse (0-1-0) within a score at the 10:42 mark. The Orange hung around with Clarkson (3-0-0) all night, but penalties proved to be the difference in the contest as the Golden Knights eventually prevailed.

"We are still working on our systems and it's going to be a work in progress, the penalty kill, the power play and those type of things," head coach Paul Flanagan said. "I asked the team to compete and I thought we did a good job from start to finish. We did a real good job at competing against a tough team in all areas."

Senior Jenn Gilligan competed at a high level in between the pipes for the Orange, rejecting 34 total shots coming her way. The first goal allowed by Gilligan trickled off the stick of an Orange defender who was working to clear the puck while the other two taillies came off a Clarkson man advantage.

The Golden Knights scored their first two goals of the game in the first period starting at the 10:04 mark. Although Rhyen McGill was credited with the goal, the puck made its way into the net on an Orange miscue in the crease. Clarkson scored again just over two minutes later when it was Shannon MacAulay going top shelf on Gilligan on a Golden Knights' power play.

After a scoreless second period, Piacentini delivered the Orange's first goal of the season, collecting a pass from senior captain Nicole Ferrara, burying it home to pull Syracuse within one. The Orange continued to put pressure on Clarkson goaltender Shea Tiley for the remainder of the contest, but another power play for the Golden Knights paved the way. Clarkson's leading scorer Cayley Mercer was silent all night until breaking through with less than two minutes left to play, putting the Golden Knights back up by two.

Clarkson outshot Syracuse 37-23, including a 17-5 edge in the third period. Tiley made 22 saves in net to lead No. 5 Clarkson out of Syracuse with the 3-1 victory.

Syracuse will be on the road for nine of its next 10 contests, starting this Friday when the squad takes on No. 10 Northeastern at 2 p.m. Both live video and live stats can be accessed via Cuse.com.