Special Teams Key Victory

Saturday, January 27

Syracuse, NY

3:00 pm

Syracuse University

6-20-2, 3-10-1

Robert Morris

10-16-0, 7-7-0

Robert Morris

Syracuse

1/27/2024 8:12:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

Forward Sarah Thompson scored a power play goal and a shorthanded goal in Syracuse's 2-1 win against Robert Morris on Saturday at Tennity Ice Pavilion. The shorthanded goal was Syracuse's second in the two-game series against RMU and fourth in four games.

"It all comes from our in-zone play," said head coach Britni Smith about Syracuse's shorthanded goals. "We really locked in with our structure and our habits and because of it we get those opportunities. It has been nice to see our PK rewarded offensively, as well."

Goaltender Allie Kelley broke the Syracuse single-season saves record in the second period. The East Berne, N.Y. native had 26 saves in the game, increasing her season total to 954 in 27 games. Kelley broke the Orange record of 946 set by Lucy Schoedel in 2009-10 (36 games). She has 3,177 saves in her 96-game career.

"Tonight was a little different game for her, not as many pucks as she is used to seeing, especially in that second period, so it is a whole different challenge," Smith said. "I thought she did a really good job. The save late in the game there to win it, seal the deal for us, that is her game. Her getting that record today – she is very deserving. There is a lot of hockey left to play this year, so she will really set herself apart now."

In the first period, Thompson gave the Orange a 1-0 lead with 5:39 left in the opening frame. Defenseman Charlotte Hallett set up the goal sending a pass from the top of the zone to forward Nea Tervonen in the left circle. Tervonen fired a shot that went across the crease to Thompson who one-timed the puck into the back of the net for the score. Syracuse's power play goal was the 16th of the season for the Orange.

"I didn't feel like our power play gave us what we needed yesterday so we had some video for them this morning and talked through some things and they did a great job of meeting that challenge and taking ownership of it," Smith said. "Right from our first power play we did a great job of having offensive zone time and putting the pressure on."

Robert Morris tied the game with 3:44 left in the second period on a goal by Calli Arnold. The Orange answered to take the lead in the third when Thompson scored a shorthanded goal at the 9:02 mark. Defenseman Rachel Teslak intercepted an RMU pass in the right circle in Syracuse's defensive zone and fed a streaking Thompson up the ice. Thompson took the puck across the blueline and put a backhanded shot into the net for her second score of the game.

Syracuse won 45 faceoffs on Saturday and 85 in the two-game series. Forward Tatum White won a career-high 25 in the circle, increasing her season total to 320. She has 791 career faceoff wins, which ranks fourth in Syracuse history.

"You probably heard the cheer after the first faceoff at the start of each period. That was definitely a focus, was win the draw. Every time you go into the draw, win the draw. It takes all five and they did a great job of it tonight every single period," Smith said. "Tatum was dialed in everywhere. Faceoffs are huge, obviously, but she was just on a different level for us this weekend. She leads by example. She does exactly what we ask of her and what our team needs to do to be successful and she was just dialed in."