Orange Conclude Season in CHA Semifinals

Saturday, February 25

Erie, PA

2 PM

Syracuse University

10-24-2

Mercyhurst (No. 2 seed)

21-13-2

Syracuse

Mercyhurst

Photo by: Tracey Edson

2/25/2023 4:35:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

Syracuse's season wrapped up in the 2023 College Hockey America semifinals at Mercyhurst College. The Lakers won the best-of-three series 2-0 to advance to the conference championship game.

"It certainly wasn't the outcome we wanted today. We had opportunities to pull back within two on the power play and just couldn't convert," said head coach Britni Smith. "Going into the third we knew we had to press and take chances to give ourselves a shot.

"It will take some time to fully digest and reflect on my first season at 'Cuse. This entire group came a long way from the start of the season. I am thankful for the senior class and their effort and commitment to building the ichuSe culture in their final year. We end the season knowing we have laid important building blocks for this program and culture moving forward."

The Orange close the first season of Smith's Syracuse tenure with a record of 10-24-2 overall (6-9-1 CHA). On Saturday, Mercyhurst (21-13-2, 11-3-2 CHA) scored a pair of goals in each period for the 6-0 win.

Orange goaltender Arielle DeSmet closed her collegiate career in the eighth spot on the CHA career saves record list with 2,329 (at Syracuse and Robert Morris). She recorded 1,680 saves in two seasons at Syracuse, which is fourth in the Orange record book.

Center Lauren Bellefontaine leaves the Orange program with the career faceoff wins record of 1,718. She also is second on the Syracuse career assists record list with 70 and third in career points (108).

In addition to DeSmet and Bellefontaine, the group of seniors and graduate students includes Mae Batherson, Brynn Koocher, Anna Leschyshyn, Marielle McHale. The group will be remembered for winning the 2019 and 2022 CHA Tournament Championships and the 2022 CHA Regular Season title. The group achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.46.

For complete coverage of Syracuse ice hockey, follow us on Facebook (/CuseIce), Twitter (@CuseIce) and Instagram (@CuseIce).