Syracuse Ice Hockey: Orange get First Win of the Season

After facing two top-ten teams and dropping both games, the Syracuse women's ice hockey team notched their first win of the 2015-2016 season by beating the University of New Hampshire, 3-2.

Syracuse (1-2-0) got their offense going early. Not even five minutes went by in the first period before sophomore Emily Costales scored an unassisted goal after a turnover in the Wildcats' zone, putting SU up 1-0.

Goaltender Jenn Gilligan and the Orange held the Wildcats scoreless in the first period. Gilligan, who played two seasons at the University of New Hampshire (0-3-0) before transferring to Syracuse, played well in between the pipes, saving 15 of the 17 shots she faced.

Midway through the second period the Orange would strike again. A tripping penalty on UNH's Devan Taylor put Syracuse on a power play. After moving the puck around, Nicole Ferrara skipped the puck across ice to Heather Schwarz, who sent one skidding past Kyra Smith into the bottom left corner extending SU's lead to two. Although Syracuse held UNH scoreless for most of two periods, the Wildcats would break through.

Late in the second period, Amy Schlagel ripped the puck past Gilligan on a slap shot from above the right side face off circle, cutting Syracuse's lead to one. But the Orange would't take their foot off the gas.

Halfway through the third period, Ferrara took the puck coast-to-coast and lifted a shot right above Smith's glove side shoulder, making it 3-1 Syracuse. The Wildcats would again cut the lead to one after Amy Boucher scored a rebound goal on a power play, but Syracuse would hold on to secure the victory.

Syracuse will have a week to rest before heading back on the road to face UCONN on Saturday, October 17th at 2 p.m. The game will be available live on Cuse.com.