Syracuse ice hockey stumbles in second game of weekend series with Princeton

Syracuse ice hockey stumbles in second game with Princeton

Madison Primeau scored in SU's 2-1 loss to the Tigers at Tennity Ice Pavilion.
Published: December 11, 2021
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Jessica DiGirolamo, pictured here against Penn State last December, led the Orange with six shots in the 2-1 loss.

Just one day after their power play kept them in the game, the Orange attack shut down and went 0-4 on man-up opportunities in a 2-1 loss to Princeton.

Syracuse had plenty of scoring chances in this one, but was only able to capitalize once. Tigers goalie Rachel McQuigge stood on her head all afternoon and stopped 35 of 36 shots.

“She’s one of the best in the country,” said head coach Paul Flanagan about McQuigge. “So I think from that perspective, we don’t want to lament on what we could’ve done more.”

SU almost had a goal just 45 seconds into the game, when Abby Moloughney fired a shot that was partially deflected by McQuigge. A pileup formed in front of the net, and the puck looked like it made it in. However, the referees ruled that the net had been dislodged before the puck entered, and the goal was waved off.

Princeton first struck at 8:16 in the first period, when Maggie Connors knocked in her ninth goal of the season. Anna Leschyshyn fired off three straight shots near the 14-minute mark, but they were all turned aside by McQuigge.

Both sides picked up the pace in the second period. Sarah Marchand almost had a breakaway, but the puck was poke-checked away at the last second. Later, Sarah Thompson found herself alone with McQuigge, but her shot and Erin Brousseau’s rebound attempt were blocked.

Eventually, Moloughney was called for a slashing minor, and Princeton went on the power play. It was the only penalty the Orange committed all game, but it was still enough for the Tigers to double their lead. Just as Moloughney was coming out of the penalty box, Kate Monihan scored her first goal of the year on a booming slapshot.

The Orange finally answered back with five minutes left in the period. Madison Primeau received a pass from Kambel Beacom and fired a wrist shot for her seventh goal of the season. Marielle McHale picked up the second assist on the play.

“I was excited to put one home,” Primeau said. “It kind of puts me into a better mood heading into the holidays.”

In the third, though, the Orange just did not have any luck. Mae Batherson fired off two good shots around five minutes in, and captain Jessica DiGirolamo rang one off the post late in the period.

“As the games go on, I feel like they’re more competitive,” DiGirolamo said.

The Orange are off until after the new year. When they return, they will head to Pittsburgh to face a team they’ve never played before. No, not the Panthers. ‘Cuse takes on Boston University on Jan. 1 in the first game of the Battle in the ‘Burgh tournament.