Syracuse ice hockey bested by Vermont in 2-1 loss
Syracuse ice hockey bested by Vermont in 2-1 loss
After suffering a 3-1 defeat to Vermont the day before, the Syracuse ice hockey team returned to the ice today hoping to close out the series with a win.
But instead, the Syracuse Orange suffered their second consecutive series loss with a sweeping 2-1 defeat.
Although they were held in check by the Orange for the greater part of the first period, the Catamounts finally broke through on a power play at the 12 minute mark.
Making the most of the advantage, Vermont’s Theresa Scahfzal drew the Syracuse defenders to her before sending the puck across to teammate Natalie Mlynkova in the left face-off circle. Mlynkova skated closer to the net before firing the puck past the glove of Syracuse goaltender Arielle DeSmet to put the Catamounts up 1-0.
Thankfully for the Orange, the goal had the effect of sparking their offense into action. Less than a minute later, forward Sarah Thompson made a sharp pass from the defensive zone to a streaking Rayla Clemons, who got the puck and sent it into the back of the net to even the score at ones.
Syracuse opened up the second period on the power play after a penalty was called on Sara Levasque for cross-checking. Unfortunately, the Orange were unable to capitalize, and the penalty came to an end with both teams at one goal a piece.
The Catamounts broke the deadlock in the period’s 10th minute when Schafzahl notched her second assist of the game by dumping the puck behind to a trailing Corinne McCool, who hurled the puck past DeSmet to give her team a 2-1 lead.
Vermont held onto the one goal lead for the rest of the game, handing the Orange two defeats in two days at the Tennity Ice Pavilion. Syracuse will head into the month long break from hockey with a 7-13-1 record. It will give the team some beneficial time to recuperate after a tough start to the 2022 campaign.
“Rest and recovery is huge. A big part of our culture is character and what you do when no one’s watching,” Syracuse head coach Britni Smith said. “When they’re home they’re still going to be working hard. They’ll come back ready to go.”
Syracuse women’s hockey will return to the ice on January 10 at 6 p.m. at the Tennity Ice Pavilion to take on Colgate.
is an undeclared student in the 2026 class and a contributor for The NewsHouse.
