Syracuse, N.Y. – The
Robert Morris University women's hockey team was swept by Syracuse University for the first time since the 2012-13 season, falling to the Orange, 3-1, this afternoon at Tennity Ice Pavilion.
Syracuse (8-13-9, 6-5-5 CHA) finishes the regular-season unbeaten against Robert Morris (9-17-3, 6-8-2 CHA) and improves its record to 11-9-8 against the Colonials all-time.
RMU sits fourth in the CHA standings after the loss, three points behind the Orange.
The Colonials were held scoreless for their seventh consecutive opening frame, with its best chance coming on the closing seconds of a power play as
Katie Fergus' one-timer attempt was knocked down by Syracuse goaltender Jenn Gilligan.
The Orange struck six minutes into the middle stanza seconds after a power play expired as Laurence Porlier buried a rebound on the doorstep.
Following a long stretch without a whistle, RMU knotted things up at one on a two-on-one breakaway. Junior assistant captain
Ashley Vesci carried the puck down the left side into the offensive zone, then threw it across the slot to a waiting
Natalie Fraser. Fraser would one-time it just through the five-hole of Gilligan, tallying her third goal of the season and first since Nov. 8 at Lindenwood.
Syracuse retook the lead at the 6:14 mark of the third period as Heather Schwarz was in the right spot at the right time to bury a rebound.
The Colonials looked to tie it up again after Fraser drew a cross-checking penalty on Kaillie Goodnough midway through the frame. Senior captain
Rebecca Vint generated three shots on goal during the man advantage, but none of them could find their way past Gilligan.
Dodds came off the ice in favor of an extra attacker with a minute remaining, but Syracuse slotted home the empty-netter when Alysha Burriss corralled a loose puck along the left boards and carried it into her offensive zone.
Dodds made 28 saves on the afternoon. Sophomore defenseman
Mikaela Lowater blocked four shots.
Robert Morris returns home next weekend for its final home regular-season series against RIT. Opening face-off for the Friday the 13th matchup is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from 84 Lumber Arena.
