Mercyhurst Tops Syracuse

Saturday, February 22

Erie, PA

2 PM

Syracuse University

12-18-2, 10-6-2CHA

Mercyhurst

18-9-5, 12-3-3CHA

Syracuse

Mercyhurst

2/22/2020 4:26:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

ERIE, Pa. - Syracuse ice hockey (12-18-2, 10-6-2 CHA) lost, 1-0, to College Hockey America leader Mercyhurst (18-9-5, 12-3-3 CHA) Saturday afternoon in Erie, Pa. Mercyhurst recorded just one more shot than 'Cuse, 26-25, but strong defense and a moment of grace from Emma Nuutinen gave the Lakers the victory. Mercyhurst concluded the regular season undefeated at home and handed Syracuse its first zero-goal outing in almost a month.

How it happened:
The Orange couldn't get much going in the first period. Mercyhurst kept Syracuse's forwards along the boards and controlled possession for most of the opening period. Syracuse's best scoring opportunity came with five minutes left in the period when Mae Batherson fed Abby Moloughney a cross-crease pass, but the Lakers' Kennedy Blair sprawled out and made the stop to keep things even. Both teams had power play opportunities, Syracuse two and Mercyhurst one, but nothing came from the man-up advantages.

The Lakers came out of the intermission energized and ready to strike, peppering goaltender Allison Small early and often. Mercyhurst went up 1-0 off a goal from Nuutinen, Nuutinen coasting up the left side before cutting right and backhanding her chance over Small's glove midway through the period. Chances for both teams were even in the middle period, both programs recording 11 shots.

Syracuse made some offensive adjustments in the final period and worked to string together more cross-ice passes on the buildup, but their efforts fell short as Mercyhurst took the 1-0 victory to complete the weekend sweep.

One Last Go Around:
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.

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