Orange Lose Series Opener to Mercyhurst

Friday, February 16

Syracuse, NY

6:00 pm

Syracuse University

7-23-3, 4-13-2

Mercyhurst

17-15-1, 13-6-0

Mercyhurst

Syracuse

Photo by: Diana Valdivia

2/16/2024 10:56:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

Series Details: vs. Mercyhurst (Saturday, Feb. 17 at 3 pm)
Location: Tennity Ice Pavilion
Watch: Cuse.com
Live Stats
Twitter: @CuseIce
Syracuse: News | Roster | Schedule | Notes

In their 11th one-goal game of the season, the Orange lost to Mercyhurst 3-2 on Friday at Tennity Ice Pavilion. Mercyhurst jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first eight minutes and then the Orange responded with a pair of goals in the second to take a 2-1 advantage into the locker room after 40 minutes. The Lakers scored a pair of goals in four-minute stretch late in the third period for the one-goal victory.

"We had a slow start and talked about it during the first media time out that we had to get our legs moving. I thought we were overthinking the game a little bit and we just needed to play with some energy and pace," said head coach Britni Smith. "The team did a good job shifting the momentum from there. We did a really good job of playing our game and we made it hard for them to get between the dots. From the 10-minute mark of the first period we decided to buy into playing our way and because of that we were getting more opportunities in our offensive zone because we were playing better in our d-zone. If you eliminate the first 10, it was a pretty even hockey game."

Syracuse defenseman Alexandria Weiss assisted on both Syracuse goals to get within two points of the 50 Point Club. It was Weiss' second multi-point game in the last four outings. Her 16 assists this season ties for sixth on Syracuse's single-season assists record list for defensemen.

After Mercyhurst took the lead on a goal by Sara Boucher eight minutes into the game. Syracuse forward Tatum White tied the score less than four minutes into the second period. Forward Darci Johal set up the play carrying the puck up the right side of the ice and feeding it to Weiss in the right circle. Weiss then hit White with a cross-ice pass in the left circle where the Kingston, Ontario native one-timed the puck into the back of the net.

Later in the second period, Orange forward Nea Tervonen gave the Orange the lead. Weiss set up the play passing to Teslak along the blueline and then Teslak fed a pass to Tervonen in the right circle and Tervonen fired a shot past Mercyhurst goaltender Ena Nystrom at the 5:51 mark of the second.

With 6:18 remaining in the third period, Mercyhurst's Sofia Ljung tied the game, 2-2. Three minutes later the Lakers' Thea Johansson tallied the game-winner.

Syracuse goaltender Allie Kelley posted 40 saves in the game, increasing her season total to 1,130, which ranks third on the CHA single-season record list. Her 632 saves in league games is fourth on the CHA record list.

Syracuse will celebrate 12 members of the Class of 2024, including seven graduate students and five seniors, during the game against Mercyhurst at 3 pm on Saturday at Tennity Ice Pavilion. All fans are invited to stay for the Class of 2024 ceremony following the game.

"It is sad to see this season coming to an end, to be honest. This group has been fantastic," Smith said. "I have said it time and time again, it is fun to come to the rink. Everyone really enjoys coming, working hard. It is a tight-knit team. We are going to miss the players who will not be in the Block S next year. They have done a great job to show the way and to make sure that they are leaving a legacy and leaving the program with some wisdom and guidance for those young players to now step into those roles."

Syracuse celebrated Military Appreciation Night and recognized Hometown Hero US Army 2LT Rebecca King. She began her college and military career in August 2020 at Valley Forge Military College in Wayne, Pa. King transferred to Syracuse University in August 2022 where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biology while simultaneously continuing her service in the New York Army National Guard with 1st Battalion, 258th Field Artillery Regiment.

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