‘Cuse Cruises To 4-0 Win Over Union

Tuesday, January 12

Schenectady, NY

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

9-10-3

Union

0-17-5

Syracuse

Union

Senior Jenn Gilligan picked up her first shutout of the season on Tuesday night.

1/12/2016 9:58:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.- Backed behind a stellar shutout performance from senior netminder Jenn Gilligan, the Syracuse women's ice hockey team defeated Union College by the final score of 4-0 in its non-conference finale on Tuesday night at Messa Rink.

Gilligan finished with 20 saves for Syracuse (9-10-3) en route to her first shutout of the season. Despite a 34-save night from Union (0-17-5) goaltender Melissa Black, the Dutchwomen were unable to turn defense into offense and put one past the Orange.

Offensively, sophomores Alysha Burriss and Emily Costales each had a two-point night. Burriss scored the game's first goal while dishing out an assist while Costales set up two Orange goals in the win.

"We did a lot of good things tonight and I thought that Union played very hard from start to finish," head coach Paul Flanagan said. "All in all, I think that this was a good trip for us today and it will hopefully get us focused for the things that we know we need to tune up going forward."

After a scoreless first period from both sides, the Orange was certainly in tune early in the second frame. Burriss gave Syracuse a 1-0 edge just 1:21 into the period, which was eventually followed by a goal from senior Nicole Renault just 21 seconds later. The goals from Burriss and Renault led the Orange into the second intermission with a 2-0 lead.

Syracuse dominated the third period by outshooting Union 21-5, but struggled to get on the board until late in the frame when the team exploded for two more scores. Sophomore Stephanie Grossi collected a pass from Burriss and Costales to beat Black with 1:52 left in the contest, putting Syracuse up 3-0. It only took 30 more seconds for the Orange to score again, as junior Jessica Sibley finished for a top-shelf goal off a one-timer from senior Nicole Ferrara.

The Orange outshot Union in the game by a total of 38-20 despite the Dutchwomen getting the best of Syracuse in the first frame with an 11-9 edge. Syracuse will look to take tonight's win into a big upcoming weekend with College Hockey America's first-place team Mercyhurst. The Orange are only one win behind the Lakers in the CHA standings for the top spot.

"This is going to be a huge weekend and I think that it can really set the stone to establish us as we move down the stretch," said Flanagan. "I think the girls have a good mentality in knowing what they have to do. We will need to fine tune the next couple of days and I am sure Mercyhurst is ready as well, which should make for a great series."

Both games against on Friday and Saturday will take place at War Memorial Arena in downtown Syracuse, N.Y. at 3 p.m. Friday's game will be broadcast live on Time Warner Cable Sports. Both live video and live stats can be accessed via Cuse.com for each game.