SU women’s ice hockey loses 5-2 against No. 3 Colgate

The Syracuse women’s ice hockey team was bested by the No. 3 ranked Colgate Raiders in a 5-2 loss on a Saturday night.

The Orange entered the game looking to avenge their 7-1 loss to Colgate from Thursday night and give the Raiders their first loss.

The first period brought a “shoot first, ask later” offensive attitude as both sides looked to capitalize early. Colgate would strike first only 50 seconds into the game off the stick of forward Kalty Kaltounkova to grab an early 1-0 lead.

Less than a minute later, SU freshman forward Madison Primeau scored her fourth goal of the season off a breakaway pass from graduate forward Victoria Klimek to tie the game. The tally marked three consecutive games with a goal for Primeau.

The level of physicality rose throughout the rest of the period as both teams drew penalties for tripping and body checking. Every possession grew more important for the Orange, as Colgate shot the puck without hesitation.

SU senior goaltender Arielle DeSmet recorded 12 of her 25 saves in the first period alone.

Nearly 14 minutes into the game, Raiders’ forward Katie Chan capitalized on a power-play to put the visitors ahead 2-1. The Raiders dominated offensively in the first frame and slung 14 shots on goal to SU’s mere four.

The second period would continue where the first period left off, as both sides intensified their play and snuck elbows and body checks away from the puck. The first ten minutes were sloppy as six penalties were handed out between each team.

Halfway through the period, the Orange increased the defensive pressure in a 2-1-2 formation, hoping to create offensive opportunities and create momentum.

Late in the second, that momentum died down as senior forward Delani MacKay gave the Raiders a 3-1 lead on a breakaway. A minute later, SU junior forward Anna Leschyshyn scored her first goal of the season to cut the deficit 3-2 off the assist from Primeau.

But only 35 seconds after Syracuse celebrated its comeback score, Colgate forward Danielle Serdachny scored her seventh goal of the season to change the momentum and put the Raiders ahead 4-2.

The third period was one-sided as Colgate stopped the Orange on every possession and swayed transition with crisp passes to waste time off the clock. Colgate forward Neena Brick capped the game off with one final goal to make the score 5-2.

“We can’t get too down about it, you know sometimes you can feel bad and wanna hang your head down,” Syracuse head coach Paul Flanagan said. “They’re a really good team, I thought it was a good sign today we kept battling until the final whistle.”

Syracuse will play the Lindenwood Lady Lions on the road this Friday at 3 p.m.