Video by Michael Castellano
SYRACUSE, N.Y- It took 31 tries, but the Syracuse Orange is finally a winner against its toughest hockey rival.
The Orange avenged Friday night's 5-1 loss with a 4-1 win of its own over the seventh-ranked Mercyhurst Lakers in a conference matchup at Tennity Ice Pavilion Saturday afternoon.
The Orange had been 0-28-2 against the Lakers coming into the game.
That includes eliminations at their hands in each of the last five CHA tournaments, three of which were championship games.
"There's no words to describe how good it feels," senior captain Julie Knerr said, "It's unbelievable, it's about time...it's an amazing feeling."
Melissa Piacentini, the team's leading goal scorer, got the game-winner and an empty-netter to bring her total up to five on the season.
She led the team last year with 30 points and 17 goals, but had not found the back of the net since she scored two against Providence on Oct. 18.
"It feels good to score and get back on the stat sheet," Piacentini said. "But I think what feels the best is actually winning, and we got that today, so it's awesome."
Both teams started the game with good chances, but it was Mertcyhurst who ended up controlling most of the action in the first, going on the power play twice and outshooting Syracuse 16-8.
But the period ended scoreless thanks in large part to Orange goalie Jenn Gilligan.
"I go into it thinking just stop the puck no matter how many shots you see," Gilligan said, "For me, it's better to be too busy than not busy enough."
Mercyhurst got the first goal of the game just over five minutes into the second period when Jennifer McAskill slipped the puck past Gilligan, who angrily argued that she was interfered with.
"I mean, I may have used some colorful language with the referees," Gilligan said.
After a lengthy video review, the goal call stood.
Syracuse struck back about six minutes later when defenseman Nicole Renault came to the loose puck between the faceoff circles and ripped a shot past Laker goalie Amanda Makela.
In the early stages of the third period, it became clear that the miomentum was tilting in Syracuse's favor.
Midway through, Piacentini put the Orange ahead on the power play when her backhand shot slid between Makela's legs.
Mercyhurst tried desperately to equalize but could not, thanks to more Gilligan saves and several blocked shots.
Empty-netters by Alysha Burriss and Piacentini iced the game for the Orange.
This win keeps Syracuse in a tie for second place in the conference alongside Lindenwood with a 2-1-1 record and five points.
The Orange remains one point behind Mercyhurst (3-1-0), but looks to build off this milestone win.
"That's the team that's got a target on their back," Head Coach Paul Flanagan said, "And that's where we want to be."
Both teams now take a break from conference action with the Lakers travelling to face Ohio State on Tuesday night and the Orange hosting a weekend series against Vermont.
Around the Conference
Lindenwood picked up some revenge of its own at home against Robert Morris. The Colonials won 3-2 in overtime Friday night, but the Lions struck back with a 4-3 win today.
Both Penn State and RIT went on the road to face ECAC teams. Penn State's 3-1 win over Colgate gave them a road weekend sweep, while RIT salvaged a point from their trip to Princeton with a 0-0 tie.
Post Game Comments
G Jenn Gilligan
F Melissa Piacentini
F Julie Knerr
D Nicole Renault
F Emily Costales
Head Coach Paul Flanagan
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