Syracuse Ice Hockey: Orange Fall to Flanagan's Former Team

Syracuse started their six game road trip against an opponent that head coach Paul Flanagan knows all too well, St. Lawrence. The Orange got out to 1-0 lead at the end of the first period, but allowed three straight goals, falling to the Saints by a final of 3-2.

Flanagan is a Canton, New York native and an alumnus of St. Lawrence where he graduated in 1980. He played defense for the Saints and was a team captain his senior season. After serving as an assistant coach for the St. Lawrence men's hockey team (1988-1999), he took over at the helm for the women's team. Flanagan led the Saints to the NCAA Frozen Four Championship five times out of his nine years as head coach (1999-2008). After the 2007-2008 season, Flanagan became the head coach for the Syracuse women's ice hockey team.

It was Alumnae Weekend on the St. Lawrence campus, fitting for Flanagan's return. The game marked the first time that he was back for a game at Appleton Arena since his departure, except this time, he was coaching on the visitor's side.

Syracuse (3-4-0) took the lead 14 minutes into the contest when Alysha Burriss slipped the puck just inside the post on the feed from Jessica Sibley. Heading into the second period, the Orange held a 1-0 lead.

St. Lawrence (3-5-1) would tie the game two minutes into the second period when Justin Reyes redirected a shot from Lydia Grauer. Then four minutes later, the Saints would claim the lead when Hanna Miller sent a wrist shot past Syracuse goalie Jenn Gilligan in the slot, putting St. Lawrence up 2-1 after two periods.

In the final period, St. Lawrence added some insurance. Senior Amanda Boulier was left alone alone just inside the blue line. She received a pass from Brook Webster, skated to the top of the faceoff circle uncontested. Burriss hurried to try and get into position to block the shot, but it was too late. Boulier cranked a slapshot past Gilligan extended the Saints' lead to 3-1.

Nearing the end of the period, Syracuse pulled Gilligan to get an skater on the ice. With 11 seconds left in the game, Syracuse sophomore Megan Quinn capitalized on the extra-attacker opportunity, moving the Orange within one. But with only nine seconds left to play, the Orange ran out of time, losing to St. Lawrence 3-2.

Syracuse looks to rebound when they take on CHA opponent, Robert Morris, in a two-game weekend series. Live stats can be accessed at Cuse.com