Syracuse University
15-16-4
RIT
16-18-0
Syracuse Defeats RIT in Quarterfinals Double Overtime Thriller
2/21/2026 7:40:00 PM | Ice Hockey
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Emma Gnade scored at 3:24 of the second overtime period to lift the Syracuse women's ice hockey team to a thrilling 4-3 victory over RIT Friday evening at Gene Polisseni Center.
Syracuse (15-16-4) earned a hard-fought victory in a back-and-forth battle that required 83 minutes and 24 seconds to decide. Peyton Armstrong had a four point perforance contributing to all of Syracuse's scoring plays. Ava Drabyk made 28 saves in net for the Orange including seven saves in the first overtime period.
RIT (16-18-0) had a third period push to come back from a two goal deficit to send the game into overtime, but was unable to net one in overtime. Brenna McNamara had 26 saves in goal for the Tigers.
How it Happened
- Syracuse opened the scoring at 11:32of the first period when Jordan Blouin found the back of the net, assisted by Armstrong.
- RIT responded at 16:17 when Tilli Keraenen tied the game with assists from Madison Buziak and Ireland Stein.
- The Orange regained the lead at 6:40 of the second period as Armstrong scored, assisted by Blouin and Sami Gendron.
- In the third 'Cuse added to their lead when Armstrong scored her second of the night assisted by Gnade and Gendron at 5:52.
- The Tigers retaliated with a Kolbee Ashe goal at 8:36 and a Linda Rulle goal 28 seconds later to send the game into overtime.
- After a scoreless first overtime period, Gnade found the winner in the second overtime, scoring in a scramble from Armstrong and Blouin that beat Brenna McNamara to secure the 4-3 victory at 3:24 of the second extra session.
Behind the Numbers
- Armstrong led all scorers with four points on two goals and two assists.
- Four Syracuse skaters had multi-point nights, Armstrong with four, Blouin with three, Gnade and Gendron had two each.
- This is Gnade's fourth game-winning-goal, she leads all Orange skaters.
- Maya D'Arcy anchored the defense with a game-high four blocked shots, while Jocelyn Fiala, Jessica Cheung, and Gendron added three blocks.
- Syracuse won the faceoff battle 34-27, 'Cuse was led by Nea Tervonen and Gnade in the circle.
Up Next
Syracuse will travel to number one seed Penn State to face the Nittany Lions in the AHA Semifinals in a best-of-three series next weekend. Games will be Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Pegula Ice Arena. More details to come.
