Syracuse Sweeps AHA Series

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse University women's ice hockey team completed a sweep of Robert Morris with a 4-1 win on Saturday at Tennity Ice Pavilion.

Syracuse (7-12-0, 5-3-0 AHA) struck early with a goal from Jackson Kinsler that was assisted by Bryn Saarela and Nea Tervonen. Saarela followed up with a go-ahead power play marker assisted by Kinsler and Sami Gendron. The graduate student struck again in the second period, this time with a shorthanded goal assisted by Tatum White. Peyton Armstrong capped off the scoring for the Orange with an empty netter in the final period. Orange goalkeeper Allie Kelley made 30 saves in the game, including some crucial stops.

Robert Morris (5-12-1, 0-7-1 AHA) responded in the second period when Mya Neugent capitalized on the power play with an assist from Janelle Evans. RMU split goaltending duties between Maggie Hatch, who made 16 saves, and Lucy Phillips, who took over in the third period and added nine more saves for the Colonials.

How it Happened

The game's first goal came midway through the first period when Jackson Kinsler scored, assisted by Bryn Saarela and Nea Tervonen, giving Syracuse a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Saarela converted on the power play, assisted by Kinsler and Sami Gendron, to put Syracuse ahead 2-0.
Robert Morris answered with a power-play goal from Mya Neugent, assisted by Janelle Evans, narrowing the gap to 2-1 at the 6:32 mark of the second period.
Saarela added a shorthanded goal, with Tatum White providing the assist, at the 10:29 mark in the second period to give Syracuse a 3-1 advantage.
Entering the third period, Robert Morris made a change in goal, bringing in Phillips to replace Hatch.
The Orange defense remained resolute in the third, stifling Robert Morris' offensive efforts. Allie Kelley made important saves, while Syracuse's defensive line blocked multiple shots to preserve the lead
Peyton Armstrong closed out the scoring for Syracuse with an unassisted empty-net goal, solidifying the Orange's 4-1 victory.

Head Coach Britni Smith
"Just overall really happy for our players. They stuck to the process all semester, so to be able to end with a weekend sweep, going into the holidays is great. It's something that they definitely earned, they earned a good break here."

Behind the Numbers

Saarela tallied her ninth and 10th goals this season for the Orange and totaled five goals, two assists and six blocks in the two-game series against the Colonials.
The last time a Syracuse player netted five goals in a two-game series was Sarah Thompson, who did so against Post in November 2022.
The Orange out-blocked Robert Morris, registering 19 blocks. Saarela set a new season high with five blocks to lead Syracuse.
Kinsler recorded her fourth goal of the season for the Orange, with Armstrong scoring her third goal of the campaign.
Syracuse recorded a new season-high in shots attempted with of 62 on the night. The team's previous best was 41 against Stonehill on Oct. 4, 2024. The last time Syracuse attempted 50-plus shots was Nov. 26, 2022, with 57 shots against Post.
With four goals, Syracuse matched its highest goal tally of the season.
'Cuse went 75-percent in penalty-kill situations, only allowing RMU goal in four power-play scenarios.
Syracuse dominated the circles, winning 34-of-58 faceoffs.