Batherson Earns Third CHA Rookie of the Week Nod

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – To say Mae Batherson is off to a strong start in her first year in an Orange sweater would be an understatement. The freshman blueliner registered five points (two goals, three assists) in two games against College Hockey America (CHA) foe Lindenwood to earn her third CHA Rookie of the Week nod this season. With her help, Syracuse (12-16-2, 10-4-2 CHA) is now tied with Robert Morris for second in the conference standings and is one point behind league leader Mercyhurst with four more games to play in the regular season.

Batherson is the fifth Orange in program history to earn three CHA weekly honors in a single season. This marks the seventh time a Syracuse player has earned three CHA weekly nods in a year and is the first time it's happened since 2014-15.

Mae Batherson @MBatherson:
- Third Rookie of the Week honor this year.
- Five goals, 16 assists on the year
- Fifth Orange to earn three CHA weekly honors in a season.
- Seventh time a Syracuse player has earned three CHA weekly nods in a year, and the first since 2014-15.
🍊🍊 pic.twitter.com/JJrKyeBiln
— Syracuse Ice Hockey (@CuseIce) February 17, 2020

Batherson started the weekend with a goal and an assist on Friday. She earned the primary assist on the Orange's second goal of the night, her pass setting up Lauren Bellefontaine whose goal put Syracuse ahead 2-0 in the second period. Lindenwood tied the game in the third, but Batherson went bar down while on the power play at the end of the period to give 'Cuse the victory. The New Minas, Nova Scotia, native recorded her final three points on Saturday in Syracuse's 8-0 routing of the Lions. Batherson assisted on the second and fifth goals of the day before lighting the lamp for the Orange's seventh goal.

Batherson (5-16-21) is tied for third-most points on the team with linemate Jessica DiGirolamo (7-14-21) and ranks in the top-20 nationally for points per game by a freshman. She leads all CHA freshmen in scoring by three points.

This is the eighth weekly honor Syracuse has earned this season. Rookie of the Week honors were awarded to Brynn Koocher on Jan. 20 and Batherson on Nov. 4 and Jan.13. Junior goaltender Allison Small picked up a Goaltender of the Week nod on Nov. 25, and junior forward Victoria Klimek earned Player of the Week honors on Nov. 16. DiGirolamo earned Player of the Week on Oct. 7, and sophomore Abby Moloughney earned the honor on Feb. 10.

Up Next:
Batherson and the Orange look to extend their six-game undefeated streak this weekend when they travel to Erie, Pa. for two games against Mercyhurst. The puck drops Friday at 7 p.m., and Saturday's action starts at 3 p.m. Both contests are available via Stretch TV.

Undefeated in our last six. #HockeySchool🍊🏒 pic.twitter.com/qoqrZEx1uw
— Syracuse Ice Hockey (@CuseIce) February 17, 2020

Senior Day:
Syracuse returns home Feb. 28-29 for the final series of the regular season. It's senior weekend and signed poster giveaways will be happening both days. The Orange will celebrate their seniors in a pregame ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 29. Parking and admission to all Orange ice hockey games are free.

On the Horizon:
The Orange have just four more games left in the regular season. The College Hockey America tournament runs March 5-7 in Buffalo, N.Y. Syracuse is the defending champion, having taken down Lindenwood (4-1), Mercyhurst (4-3) and Robert Morris (6-2) in last year's tournament to win the first CHA title in program history. The Orange (22) are tied for second in the league with Robert Morris and are currently one point behind CHA leader Mercyhurst (23) in the CHA standings.

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