Newcomers Shine as Syracuse Ties Northeastern

SU goalscorer Alysha Burriss lining up for a faceoff

Story and Photo by Cody Love

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- Ties are never the goal, but they can leave plenty of room for optimism.  The Orange would have preferred a win over the Northeastern Huskies on their home ice at Tennity Ice Pavilion on Friday night, but the work of some of its newest faces left plenty of positives going forward.


Goalie Jenn Gilligan, a transfer from New Hampshire, saved 28 of 29 NU shots, and Freshman Alysha Burriss put Syracuse on the board first in the 1-1 tie, picking up a rebound right in front of the net and beating NU goalie Chloe Desjardins.  Burriss played on a forward line full of freshmen that saw significant playing time.


Burriss and linemates Stephanie Grossi and Emily Coastales ended up getting assigned to face Northeastern's top line, and impressed Head Coach Paul Flanagan enough to be put on the ice in critical late game situations.


"I think they've, in a short amount of time, have assimilated into the group," Flanagan said, "I don't know how they didn't score more goals tonight."

US Olympian Kendall Coyne scored the game-tying goal

Northeastern's equalizer came from captain and U.S Olympic Team member Kendall Coyne.  Coyne has had nearly a goal-a-game pace in her college career, and kept that up Friday night with her 64th goal in 66 games.  Midway through the second period, Coyne managed to get open seconds after a Huskies powerplay expired, and slipped the puck past Gilligan to tie the game.


The game was back and forth the rest of the way, with the matchup between Coyne's line and the Syracuse freshmen being the most interesting.  Coyne was a constant threat, registering five shots on the night.  She rarely got a good chance in front of the net, however, as she was stymied by strong defensive play and counterattacking by Syracuse's young forwards.


"I try not to worry about who's on the ice," Burriss said, "I just try and play the position I'm supposed to play."


Gilligan was solid in goal for the Orange, showing the technical ability she has developed through her entire playing career.  She was well-positioned on several odd-man rushes by the Huskies, either covering up shots, or deflecting the rebounds to the corners.


"Positioning is always something I've worked on, it's been one of my strongest points ever since I was little," Gilligan said, "My goalie coach coming up really focused on positioning in the net."


The Orange will look for a three-point weekend on Saturday when it welcomes Gilligan's former team, the New Hampshire Wildcats, to Tennity Ice Pavilion.  Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 pm.