Women’s hockey falls to nationally ranked Boston College

Women's hockey falls to Boston College

The Orange fought hard but ultimately lost to the Eagles at Tennity Ice Pavilion.
Published: October 11, 2019

The Syracuse women’s hockey team outshot Boston College 33-23, but their late comeback fell short as the Eagles claimed a 4-3 victory on Saturday.

After a home and home with No. 3 ranked Clarkson last weekend, the Orange’s brutal out-of-conference schedule continued as they welcomed the No. 7 ranked team in the nation to Tennity Ice Pavilion.

Boston College had outscored their prior opponent 11-1 coming into the matchup and did not wait long to get on the board. Only 4:37 into the game, Cayla Barnes took a pass from Kelly Browne and barely snuck it past goaltender Ady Cohen to give the Eagles an early advantage.

Syracuse had opportunities to tie the score in the first period. Their best chance came when Victoria Klimek was alone on a breakaway, but she was unable to convert. Following the first period, the Orange trailed 1-0.

The Eagles added to their lead early in the second period as Lindsay Agnew wristed a shot top shelf past Cohen to make it a 2-0 game.

But it did not take the Orange long to respond. After Erin Connolly received her third penalty of the game, the SU power play went to work. Set up in a triangle, Lauren Bellefontaine passed to Jessica DiGirolamo, who was ready behind the net. She sent it over to Emma Polaski, who put it in, pulling Syracuse within one.

The score remained 2-1 as the teams hit the locker rooms for the second intermission. In the third, Boston College got goals from Hannah Bilka at 2:07 and Cayla Barnes at 4:53, quickly securing a three-goal lead with just over 15 minutes remaining.

Still, the Orange fought back. Jessica DiGirolamo took advantage of a pretty pass from Kristen Siermachesky and beat goaltender Maddy McArthur’s top right to make it a 4-2 game.

The score was still 4-2 when BC’s Hadley Hartmetz was called for hooking with 2:25 remaining. Coach Paul Flanagan pulled his goalie to make it a 6 to 4 advantage for the Orange. 46 seconds later, Anonda Hoppner scored from Allie Olnowich and Mae Batherson, making it a one-goal game with 1:39 to go.

Syracuse had chances to tie it up with the goaltender, but McArthur and the Eagles’ defense held tough, and Boston College walked away victorious 4-3.

With the loss, the Orange falls to 0-3 on the year. They will welcome Northeastern, yet another Hockey East opponent, to Tennity next weekend.