Syracuse, N.Y. -
Syracuse beat Colgate 2-1 in the first game of the hockey season at Tennity Ice Pavilion, Thursday night. But it took a while for both teams to get going.
The first period ended scoreless as the teams traded penalties.
"I didn't think we were very well prepared early on," SU coach Paul Flanagan said. "I guess it's to be expected because we haven't played."
Sophomore forward Eleanor Haines finally scored the first goal of the season with less than five minutes left in the second period with assists from sophomore Laurence Porlier and freshman Dakota Derror.
Senior Captain Julie Knerr added to the score at 6:40 into the third period making it 2-0. She was assisted by freshman Megan Quinn and sophomore Heather Schwarz.
Colgate responded quickly on a goal by Breanne Wilson-Bennett with an assist by Nicole Gass making it 2-1 with just over ten minutes left. But even after pulling their goalie with 1:23 to go the Raiders could not tie it and Syracuse hung on for the win.
Junior Jenn Gilligan, who said she found out Wednesday night that she'd be starting had 20 saves. Syracuse outshot Colgate 29-21.
"I thought she played remarkably well, showed a lot of poise and composure," Coach Flanagan said.
"It was a team effort," Gilligan said.
Flanagan said he's disappointed in some of the plays and offensively the Orange needs to be more creative.
"More confidence with the puck, pass it around, get more shots on net," Haines said. "Something we need to do on the power play and on full strength."
There was a total of 14 penalties called; Syracuse with eight and Colgate with six. But neither team managed to score on a power play.
Despite the first game jitters the team is looking to go into the next game strong. Syracuse plays Boston College at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
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