Allie Kelley Sets NCAA Career Saves Record

Friday, January 17

Syracuse, NY

6 pm

Syracuse University

7-18-0, 5-6-0

Penn State

20-4-1, 11-0-0

OT 1

Penn St.

Syracuse

1/17/2025 10:15:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse University women's ice hockey was edged out in overtime 1-0 against No. 9 Penn State in AHA conference play at Tennity Ice Pavilion on Friday night.

Syracuse (7-18-0, 5-6-0 AHA) wasn't able to get on the board but still had a record breaking night. Graduate student Allie Kelley recorded 41 saves, surpassing the NCAA National Collegiate career saves record. The East Berne, New York native broke the previous record of 4,167 saves, set by Lovisa Selander (RPI) from 2016-2019. Kelley's save count has now reached 4,176 shots during her collegiate career (Quinnipiac, St. Anselm, and Syracuse), with 1,953 saves while at Syracuse. Kelley is one of only two goalies in NCAA history to eclipse the 4,000-save milestone and has already made 823 saves this season.

No. 9 Penn State (20-4-1, 11-0-0 AHA) scored in overtime with a 3-on-3 goal by Katelyn Roberts from Kendall Butze. Penn State goaltender Katie DeSa tallied 18 saves, including four in the first period, 10 in the second period, and four in the third.

How it Happened

Both teams were relentless in the defensive zone throughout the first period. Penn State fired 16 shots, but Syracuse held the Nittany Lions off the board.
Kelley was solid between the posts talling 16 saves in the first stanza.
The defensive battle continued in the second period, marked by physical play and blocked shots on both ends.
The third frame began with a 0-0 stalemate, as both teams heightened their emphasis to tighten their lines and prioritized puck control.
Strong play from the defensive core in the final moments of the third period propelled the game into overtime.
At the 3:08 mark in the extra period Roberts tapped the puck into the net with help from Butzeto to win the game for the Nittany Lions.

Head Coach Britni Smith
"The focus tonight is Allie Kelley. She has been good the entire time with Syracuse but tonight she was on a different level with her ability to make big saves in big moments. I'm very excited for her accomplishment, it's a huge milestone. It's unfortunate that we couldn't get it done tonight in overtime."

Behind the Numbers

Kelley is just 177 saves shy of reaching 1,000 saves for the fourth consecutive season.
The faceoff battle was evenly matched, with both teams winning 23 draws each.
Syracuse out-blocked the Nittany Lions 18-12. Celia Wiegand led the effort with four blocks for the Orange.

Up Next for Syracuse

The Orange will continue the series against No. 9 Penn State on Saturday, January 18 at Tennity Ice Pavilion for Pajama Night.
Puck drop is set for 3 p.m. with live streaming available on FloHockey and live stats on Cuse.com.