Syracuse Ice Hockey: Grossi's Hat Trick Leads Orange to Victory Over RIT

Sophomore Stephanie Grossi had six assists coming into the game against CHA rival RIT (1-4-0), but no goals. However, she quickly changed that. Grossi netted a hat trick before the second period buzzer even sounded. She also tacked on two assists to give her five points on the night, earning the game's MVP honors and helping Syracuse (3-3-0) route the Tigers, 7-1.

"Her nature is to pass the puck and be a playmaker, but what happened on two of them was she had no one to pass to!" laughed head coach Paul Flanagan. "But those two goals were beautiful. I mean she could've had a couple more too."

"I think I capitalized on more of my opportunities today and I got pretty lucky around the net," said Grossi.

Grossi's hat trick was the first to be scored by a Syracuse player since Alysha Burris scored three goals on December 6, 2014 (coincidentally) against RIT.

After losing to RIT 2-1 in double overtime in last years CHA Championship game, Syracuse was out for revenge.

"Right after (last years) game I think all the returners were focusing on this game. They've kinda become that rival that we've grown to not like," said assistant captain Melissa Piacentini.

"All summer it was all you'd think about and we just really wanted to kick their ass," said Grossi.

The Orange got their revenge in commanding fashion on their home ice. And even better, the win puts them at 1-0 in CHA play, good enough to claim first place in the early conference standings.

Grossi got the Orange started nine minutes into the first period with a power-play goal to take a 1-0 lead. Then one minute later, Burris buried one off a rebound to make it 2-0 after one period.

Ten seconds into the second period, Grossi got it going again by dangling past a defender and proceeding to juke out RIT goaltender Jenna de Jonge one-on-one with moves I've only seen while playing NHL16. Add on a goal by Nicole Ferrara, which extends her scoring streak to five games, and Syracuse was out in front 4-0.

Then Grossi struck again, this time when 'Cuse was shorthanded. I'll stop trying to explain Grossi's highlight goals with words and just let you watch them for yourself.

ICYMI: Steph Grossi had not one, not two, but three goals last night!#Dangles pic.twitter.com/EHRVO3vn4T

— SU Ice Hockey (@CuseIce) October 22, 2015

With just 28 seconds to play in the second period, RIT's Logan Land put in the only goal the Tigers would produce to make it 5-1 heading into the final frame.

But, five goals just wasn't enough for the Orange. Nicole Renault tacked on number six on a power-play, assisted by Piacentini, her third assist of the game. Then Emily Costales added one more for good measure three minutes later to make it 7-1.

Twelve Syracuse players tallied a point in the contest. Grossi's five points ties Isabel Menard in the Syracuse record books for most points scored in a single game.

The Orange are now back on the road and are scheduled to face Flanagan's former team, St. Lawrence, at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Live stats can be accessed vis Cuse.com

If you love watching the Orange dominate a rival, which I know you all do, here are full highlights from the game. WARNING! RIT FANS: DO NOT WATCH!