SU Ice Hockey: Piacentini Becomes the All-Time Points Leader in Win Against RIT

It's safe to say that Melissa Piacentini is one of the greatest Syracuse women's hockey players to ever lace the skates. On Wednesday against RIT, Piacentini became Syracuse's all-time points leader. She earned her 97th point on an assist to Stephanie Grossi, passing Holly Carrie-Mattimoe '13. It's not the only category Piacentini leads in, she is also first in goals (49) and plus/minus (51) and with that assist, her 49th, she moves into fourth all time in the category.

To top off Piacentini's big night, the Orange beat the Tigers 5-1, taking home two points in the CHA.

Midway through the first period, captain Nicole Ferrara got things going for the Orange. After an RIT (3-11-0) turnover in their defensive zone, Grossi found a cutting Ferrara who buried a shot over the glove side shoulder of RIT goaltender Jenna de Jonge. Ferrara has had an impressive senior season. After missing all last year because of injury, she leads the Orange with seven goals.

In the second period, Syracuse (6-7-1) would had some insurance. Jessica Sibley carried the puck right in front of the cage on a sweep from the left side and slipped a back handed shot between the legs of de Jonge.

Then with under four minutes to play in the second, Piacentini would break the record. In a tangle up along the left side boards, Piacentini was able to push the puck out to Nicole Renault who then found Grossi in stride for a one-on-one breakaway. The rest is history. She easily fooled de Jonge and slid the puck into the open net, making it 3-0 Syracuse. Yet the Orange didn't seem content with that score.

With five seconds remaining in the second, Syracuse was on a powerplay after an unreleasable five minute major boarding penalty against RIT's Lauren Carroll. Renault fired a shot from the blue line and Sibley right next to the keeper for an easy deflection into the back of the net. It was her second goal of the game and her fourth of the season.

Early in the third, Syracuse would score again. This time it was Allie Munroe, extending Syracuse's lead to 5-0. The Orange weren't able to keep a clean sheet. RIT was able to score midway through the third frame to make the final 5-1.

The Orange will face RIT two more times this season, in a weekend home-and-home series on January 22nd and 23rd.