'Cuse Downs Stonehill on Senior Day

Saturday, February 18

Syracuse, NY

2 PM

Syracuse University

10-22-2

Stonehill

17-15-2

Stonehill

Syracuse

2/18/2023 4:22:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

The Orange celebrated Senior Day with a 4-2 win against Stonehill before a capacity crowd at Tennity Ice Pavilion on Saturday. The six Orange seniors and fifth-year skaters playing in their final home game included Mae Batherson, Lauren Bellefontaine, Arielle DeSmet, Brynn Koocher, Anna Leschyshyn, Marielle McHale. During their Syracuse careers, the Orange won the 2019 and 2022 CHA Tournament Championships and the 2022 CHA Regular Season Championship. The group also has a cumulative grade point average of 3.46.

"Tonight we talked about playing for our seniors," said head coach Britni Smith. "They have done so much for this program, individually and also as a group, winning the first and second title, for some of them. It was a really good opportunity to celebrate the success of the entire group."

McHale put the Orange (10-22-2 overall, 6-9-1 CHA) on the board first with a goal less than five minutes into the game. Freshman Maya D'Arcy gathered a loose puck at the Syracuse blue line and fed McHale with a pass just past center ice where McHale carried it to the left circle and fired a shot into the back of the net.

A trio of juniors combined for Syracuse's second goal when Rayla Clemons tipped in Hannah Johnson's shot from the right circle. Defenseman Kambel Beacom set up the power play goal.

In the second period, Syracuse extended its lead to 4-0 on goals by Batherson and junior Sarah Thompson. Batherson scored a power play goal on an assist from freshman Rhèa Hicks with nine minutes remaining in the period. Thompson followed up four minutes later taking a pass from freshman Charlotte Hallett deep in the Syracuse defensive zone, carrying it up the ice and firing a shot from the left circle.

Alexis Petford and Paige Whaley tallied goals for Stonehill (17-15-2/14-9-1 NEWHA) in the third period.

Syracuse will play in the College Hockey America semifinals at Mercyhurst in a best-of-three game series beginning Friday, Feb . 24 at 1 pm. The second game of the series is Saturday, Feb. 25 at 2 pm. The third game, if necessary, will be played on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 1 pm.

"We just talked about how it is a new season," Smith said. "The records and the regular season do not matter anymore. What matters is who is showing up for the next 60 minutes. Our focus is having a really good week of practice and going to Mercyhurst with some confidence as well as being ready to battle. It is going to be a battle."

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