Orange Dig Deep for Thrilling Comeback Win

Friday, February 22

Syracuse, NY

7 PM

Syracuse University

9-19-3, 9-6-2CHA

Lindenwood

7-19-3, 3-12-2CHA

OT 1

Lindenwood

Syracuse

2/22/2019 10:30:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The nameplates on the back of the Syracuse women's hockey team's jerseys said "Dig Deep," and the Orange did exactly that.

Freshman forward Abby Moloughney fired home the game-winning goal on a penalty shot in overtime, capping off the Orange's thrilling come-from-behind 5-4 win against College Hockey America foe Lindenwood Friday night inside Tennity Ice Pavilion. Syracuse improves to 9-19-3 overall and 9-6-2 in conference play with the victory.

The Orange were donning purple jerseys in honor of Sherry Goodnough, who recently passed away after battling pancreatic cancer. The jerseys displayed Syracuse in purple script across the jersey's chest with a purple ribbon – the symbol for pancreatic cancer awareness – included beneath. "Dig Deep" – a mantra that Sherry often used as a form of encouragement and motivation – was written on each jersey's nameplate.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first period saw four goals scored, two by each team. Lindenwood's Taylor Kirwan opened the scoring, but Syracuse responded with a goal by sophomore defenseman Jessica DiGirolamo three minutes later on the power play.

The Orange took a 2-1 lead just under two minutes later when junior forward Anonda Hoppner found twine off a pass from redshirt senior forward Brooke Avery. However, the Lions wouldn't relent and their pressure resulted in a goal with 35 seconds left on the clock.

The Lions pulled away in the second, scoring late-period goals to take a 4-2 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation. It was then that the Orange dug deep.

Syracuse's comeback began early in the third period. Two penalties against the Lions gave Syracuse a 5-on-3 opportunity, and junior defenseman Lindsay Eastwood cashed in on to cut Syracuse's deficit down to one with 18:00 left in the third. Sophomore forward Emma Polaski followed up Eastwood's goal with one of her own, tying the game at 4-4 with 17:06 left in the game.

The rest of the third period remained stuck in a deadlock, and the game to went overtime. That's where Moloughney soon became the night's hero.

The freshman drew a holding penalty on a breakaway opportunity early in the extra frame, setting up her penalty shot to give Syracuse the chance to end it. Moloughney, in a one-on-one matchup against Lindenwood goaltender Sophie Wolf, dashed toward the net before slowing right in front of the crease and flipping the puck over Wolf's shoulder for the winner.

OF NOTE
Syracuse scored three power-play goals in the game. The three goals - a new season high - came from DiGirolamo, Eastwood and Polaski.

The Orange have put at least 35 shots on goal in each of their last three games. The team recorded 40 and 44 shots on net in the first and second games, respectively, against RIT last weekend.

Polaski and Molougney each tallied three points. For the Orange sophomore, it's her third multi-point game this season.

WHAT LIES AHEAD
Syracuse is back in action tomorrow afternoon, celebrating Senior Day against Lindenwood. The puck drops in the home finale at 3 p.m. inside Tennity Ice Pavilion.

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