Syracuse ice hockey splits series with RIT

Syracuse women’s ice hockey was hoping to jumpstart their season with a win over Rochester Institute of Technology, but lost 4-1 in the first game of a home and home series over the weekend. 

The loss left Syracuse with only three wins in their 18 games of action.  

‘Cuse got off to a dominant start punctuated behind a scrappy goal from graduate forward Kate Holmes on the power play. It was the grad student’s fifth goal of the year.

“Good shot that got through and there was a battle between Tatum and D’Arcy in front and it just popped out and I happened to be there for the finish,” said Holmes. The assists went to graduates defenseman Rachel Teslak and forward Darci Johal. Syracuse would go on to outshoot RIT 16-to-11 in the first period. 

From that point on, RIT took over.

The visitors tied up the score early into the second period with a goal from Chloe McNeil, assisted by Lexi Sung, and took the lead late in the period on a power play goal from Kylie Aquaro. Emma Roland and Addie Alvarez provided the assists.

Staying out of the penalty box has been a weakness for the Orange this season.

“Obviously, playing down does not give us the opportunity to score to keep the momentum in our favor. I think the ones that are avoidable are kind of the same penalties. We can move our feet to kind of avoid those penalties,” said senior forward Tatum White. 

Syracuse had chances to tie the game but ultimately fell short, with RIT scoring two empty net goals to seal the win late in the third period.

The goals were scored by Athena Vasdani and Lindsay Maloney; Jordyn Bear provided the assist on the first and Vasdani on the second. 

The standout for the Orange was Teslak, who blocked five shots, including two on a crucial powerplay late in the game.

“She battles hard. You know what you are going to get from her every game. You know even nights when she’s fighting pucks a little bit, she’ll make up for it with those blocked shots,” head coach Britni Smith said. “She’s someone that we look to continue to bring that part to our game,”

Syracuse split the series the next day behind two goals from Johal at RIT.

The hockey team will be back in action Tuesday at home to face Colgate. Puck will drop at 6 p.m.