SU Ice Hockey: Undefeated in Lindenwood Weekend Series

Syracuse Women's Ice Hockey traveled to St. Charles, Missouri for a two-game series against Lindenwood. The Orange went undefeated in the series, but they didn't win both games. Syracuse took the first game 3-1, but experienced their first tie of the season in the next by a score of 1-1.

The Orange took the ice on Friday night for the first game of the weekend. After a scoreless first period for both teams, Syracuse got things going in the second.

Four minutes into the second frame, sophomore Dakota Derrer scored her second goal of her collegiate career to break the silence and put Syracuse up, 1-0. Just over ten minutes later, Lindenwood's Britannia Gillanders sent one past SU goalie Jenn Gilligan to tie the game at one-a-piece.

Gilligan played outstanding between the pipes, recording 24 saves and only allowing a single goal.

In the second period, Melissa Piacentini would regain the lead for the Orange after a slapshot goal found its way past freshman goaltender Jolene deBruyn. The goal was her fifth of the season and became the eventual game-winner.

Piacentini entered the weekend at 93 total points in her collegiate career at Syracuse. The goal put her at 94 points, just two points away from record holder Holly Carrie-Mattimoe (2009-2013) who has 96.

As time ticked down in the third period, the Lady Lions pulled deBruyn to get an extra skater on the ice in hopes to tie the game. However, Syracuse captain Nicole Ferrara would seal the win with an empty net goal after SU won the faceoff in their zone. Piacentini assisted on the goal, putting her just one point shy of tying the record. The win secured two points in the CHA standings for the Orange.

Piacentini would be quick to tie Carrie-Mattimoe in the second game the following day.

Seven minutes into the second period, Syracuse sophomore Stephanie Grossi put the Orange up by one. Piacentini was given a point for the assist. Tying her for the most points all-time by a Syracuse skater.

Piacentini has become one of the most prolific offensive figures the Orange has ever seen. She now is first in career points, goals and plus/minus. She is also tied for 5th all time in assists with 45.

The Orange would head into the locker room with a 1-0 lead. Gilligan would keep that score all the way into the third period. She registered 20 saves on the day. Lindenwood senior netminder Nicole Hensley played an amazing game in goal, recording 39 saves.

But, after keeping Lindenwood scoreless for the majority of the game, the Lady Lions found a way to score. With nearly two minutes left in the game, Shannon Morris-Reade put a shot past Gilligan to tie the game up, 1-1.

Lindenwood had a late two-minute checking penalty with under a minute to play, yet the Orange couldn't capitalize. But, they headed into overtime with a man-up advantage. It was to no avail. Both teams remained scoreless for the five-minute overtime period and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

After the weekend, Syracuse is now tied with Mercyhurst atop the CHA rankings with seven points. The Orange travel to Potsdam, New York on Tuesday to face #4 Clarkson. Live video and live stats can be accessed on Cuse.com.