Syracuse Plays In-State Foe Union Tuesday Night

SYRACUSE (0-9) AT UNION (0-5-1)
Game Details: Tuesday | 7 P.M.
Location: Schenectady, N.Y. | Messa Rink
Game Links: Watch | Live stats
Television: ESPN+
Twitter: @Cuseice
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes (PDF)
Union Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse jumps back on the ice Tuesday night when the traveling Orange take on in-state foe Union (0-5-1) in Schenectady, N.Y. Puck drop at Messa Rink is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be shown live on ESPN+.

Syracuse is coming off tough 3-1, and 3-0 road losses to No. 6 Princeton Friday and Saturday in Princeton, N.J. The Orange's lone goal over the weekend was scored by senior Savannah Rennie in game one, the lamp lighter her first of the year and the 19th of her career.

Series History
The Orange lead the all time series 8-2 with an identical 4-1 record at home and on the road. The last meeting came on Jan. 12, 2016 where the Orange picked up a 4-0 victory in Schenectady. The two teams have not played in four years and it is the first time Union head coach Josh Sciba will face off against Syracuse.

Scouting Union
The Dutchwomen, like Syracuse, are still looking for their first victory of the season. Union plays in the ECAC alongside three of the nation's top-10 teams, and is coming off a 4-28-2 season. Just two of Union's wins last season came in conference play.

Union's two leaders in points, Olivia Groulx and Katelynn Russ, both have a pair of goals and an assist through the first six teams. Bella Mckee has started four of her five games played and has stopped 181 shots while giving up 13 goals. She holds a 0-3-1 record and has recorded a .933 save percentage.

Early season grind
Syracuse has been grinding against some of the nation's top team's since the year opened. The Orange opened the year against No. 3 Clarkson before taking on No. 7 Boston College and No. 3 Northeastern. While Colgate was unranked, they were the runner-up in last season's NCAA Championship, and 'Cuse went on to play No. 6 Princeton.

The Orange are in the midst of arguably their toughest season opener ever. There was a similar situation in 2010-11 when they opened against No. 8 New Hampshire, No. 9 Boston College, and No. 10 Providence. Syracuse went on to be the runner-up in the CHA Tournament that year, losing, 5-4, to No. 4 Mercyhurst.

Syracuse Rankings
            - Senior Kelli Rowswell is one of 21 skaters to score a short-handed goal thus far.
            - Senior Anonda Hoppner's two power-play goals are tied for fourth-most in the nation.
            - Junior goalie Allison Small is 13th in the NCAA with 179 saves

Orange faceoffs
Syracuse has been dominant at the face off dot this year, having seen at least one played in seven games earn double-digit wins.
            - Game 1 vs. Clarkson: Bellefontaine (18)
            - Game 3 vs. Boston College: Bellefontaine (12)
            - Game 5 vs. Northeastern: Rowswell (10)
            - Game 6 at Colgate: Bellefontaine (14)
            - Game 7 vs. Colgate: Bellefontaine (12)
            - Game 9 at Princeton: Bellefontaine (11)
            - Game 9 at Princeton: Rennie (12)

Freshmen update
            - First-year center Brynn Koocher has been a notable presence on the ice through the first nine games. Koocher has won 32 of her 68 face offs (.471), the fourth-most on the team behind sophomore center Lauren Bellefontaine (95), Rennie (51) and Rowswell (40).
            - Blueliner Mae Batherson has been rolling with junior defender Jessica DiGirolamo since the season started. The duo lead the team in assists with three a piece. Batherson is also in a four-way tie for second-most points on the team.
            - Anna Leschyshyn got on the score sheet early this year, scoring a PPG in game two at No. 3 Clarkson. That same game she made one block.
            - Madison Beishuizen moved from the fourth line to the second in game two against No. 3 Northeastern. She's recorded two assists and 20 shots on the year.

Looking Ahead
The Orange open College Hockey American (CHA) play this weekend in a home-and-home with Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Game one kicks off Friday at 7 p.m. inside Tennity Ice Pavilion, with game two starting Saturday at noon in RIT's Gene Polisseni Center. Friday's contest will be shown live at Cuse.tv here.

For complete coverage of Syracuse ice hockey, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Women's Ice Hockey), Twitter (@CuseIce) and Instagram (@CuseIce).

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Players Mentioned

Mae Batherson

Madison Beishuizen

Lauren Bellefontaine

Jessica DiGirolamo

Anonda Hoppner

Brynn Koocher

Anna Leschyshyn

Savannah Rennie

Kelli Rowswell

Allison Small

Syracuse University Athletics