Leitner Scores First Goal in Close Battle With #5 Colgate

Friday, November 29

Syracuse, NY

6 pm

Syracuse University

5-11-0

Colgate

15-4-0

Colgate

Syracuse

Leitner Scores First Goal in Close Battle With #5 Colgate

11/29/2024 9:26:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse University women's ice hockey dropped game one of its series against No. 5 Colgate in a 3-1 decision on Friday evening at Tennity Ice Pavilion.

Syracuse (5-11-0) found the back of the net when freshman Laura Leitner scored off of a chip pass from Nea Tervonen and Peyton Armstrong late in the second period. Allie Kelley made 29 saves on the night.

No. 5 Colgate (15-4-0) scored a power play goal from Emma Pais fed by Casey Borgiel and Neena Brick, just past the halfway mark in the first period. Kristýna Kaltounkova netted two goals for Colgate. Goalkeeper Hannah Murphy finished the game with 21 saves.

How it Happened

The Orange defense was solid throughout the first period, stopping eight of the Raiders' shots and keeping the game scoreless midway through the frame.
The Raiders scored at 13:35 in the first period with a power play goal by Samoskevich to give Colgate a 1-0 lead. Borgiel and Brick provided the assists on the go-ahead goal.
At the 5:25 mark of the second, Leitner revived the momentum in the Orange's favor and potted an even strength goal with a feed from Tervonen and Armstrong to knot the game 1-1.
Less than two minutes later, Colgate responded with a goal by Kaltounkova from Elyssa Biederman and Pais, putting the Raiders up by one.
The third period became a goaltending showdown, with both goalkeepers making several key saves.
Closing out the third period at the 18:18 mark Kaltounkova reeled the puck into the net with assists from Biederman and Sara Stewart to finalize the 3-1 score.

Head Coach Britni Smith
Overall I'm really happy with our play. It felt like we came out a little bit slow in the first but really turned it around quickly. Our second and third (periods) were probably some of the best hockey we've played this season.
All in all, I'm really happy. We kept that game tight and gave ourselves a chance. We were getting ready to pull our goalie at the end to give ourselves an opportunity. To be in it that late in the game, we really executed our game plan.
Behind the Numbers

Leitner scored her first career goal for the Orange.
Syracuse out-blocked the Raiders, tallying a total of eight. Celia Wiegand led the Orange with a pair of blocks.
'Cuse went 50 percent in penalty-kill situations, only letting up one Raiders goal in two power-play scenarios.

Up Next for Syracuse

The Orange face Colgate for game two of the series on Saturday, November 30.
Puck drop is slated for 3 p.m. on ESPN+ at Class of 1965 Arena in Hamilton, New York.