Syracuse Ice Hockey: Orange Can't Hang on Against UConn

The Syracuse Women's Ice Hockey team suffers its third loss of the season after falling to the University of Connecticut 4-3 on Saturday.

The Orange's offense has had a tendency to get it going early this season and they didn't disappoint. Just 23 seconds into the game, senior captain Nicole Ferrara gave Syracuse a 1-0 lead. Then eight minutes later, senior Nicole Renault scored an unassisted goal from the point to put the Orange up by two. But the Huskies would narrow the gap with two quick goals.

Just over two minutes later, sophomore Justine Fredette scored on the power-play to make it 2-1. Then only 16 seconds later, sophomore Maddie Badeau put in the equalizer past goaltender Maddie Welch, the score was tied 2-2 going into the second period.

Welch, a freshman, got her first collegiate start in between the pipes for the Orange. Welch allowed four goals on 15 shots, a .733 save percentage. UConn goalie Annie Belnager bolstered a .909 save percentage, stopping 30 of 33 shots.

In the second period, Syracuse regained the lead. Melissa Piacentini put one past Belanger after a she deflected a shot from up top by Dakota Derrer. But the lead was short lived. Under a minute later, Huskies freshman Jordy Zacharias tied the game at three a piece. Then, late in the final period, UCONN would take their first lead of the game.

Tied 3-3 with just over two minutes to play, Theresa Knutson took a shot from the Syracuse zone that was saved by Welch. But, Knutson grabbed her own rebound beat Welch on her second attempt to give UConn a 4-3 lead. The goal would stand as the game-winner.

Syracuse outshot the Huskies 36-19, but couldn't capitalize on their three power-plays in the game. The Orange need to improve on their man-up opportunities, this season they are a combined 3-17 (.176).