Midway through the third period against Boston College on Oct. 5, defender Jessica DiGirolamo passed the puck to forward Kristen Siermachesky and continued into the attacking zone.

DiGirolamo received a saucer pass from Siermachesky and rushed on goal. With just the goalie to beat, DiGirolamo shot the puck high glove side past BC’s goalie, cutting the Eagles’ lead in half and sparking a late comeback push.

“That’s what we’re looking for,” SU head coach Paul Flanagan said, “to be a leader on both ends of the ice.”

DiGirolamo, who was named the College Hockey America Player of the Week after the Boston College series, has three points in seven games for the Orange. She, along with defender Lindsay Eastwood, have ignited a defense that’s accounted for 17 points over the past seven games — nearly as many as SU’s forwards (20). As Syracuse (0-7) has recorded its worst start in program history, the Orange have needed every point from their defense.

“(DiGirolamo) knows that with her speed and her ability that she can be a real catalyst for us both as a defenseman, what she does in our zone and breaking the puck out,” Flanagan said. “Offensively, she jumps into the play like she did (against BC) and get open on that nice two-on-one goal.”

Eastwood said the defensemen join the rush to give the offense an extra attacker and create odd-man rushes. Not only does she join the attack during five-on-five play, but she also logs big minutes on the power play, where she plays alongside DiGirolamo.

After getting swept last weekend by Colgate, Eastwood is tied for the team lead in points (four) with forward Anonda Hoppner. Eastwood’s shot has made her a goal-scoring threat her entire SU career, as she recorded her 50th career point for the Orange against Northeastern on Oct. 12.

“I think our defense is a big part of our offense, especially on the power play,” said Eastwood. “If we can just get shots through and let the forwards go to town and get the dirty goals I think that’s what we’re looking for.”

Eastwood and DiGirolamo aren’t the only defenders getting on the score sheet in 2019. Freshman defender Mae Batherson already has three assists, including one on a power play against Northeastern. Veterans Siermachesky and Logan Hicks, who have both alternated between forward and defense, have also generated points from the blue line.

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Heading into last weekend’s two-game series against Colgate, SU defenders had outscored its forwards,but Flanagan stressed that it’s still early in the season, and he’s not surprised by the defense’s scoring output.

“I guess you’d like to have the forwards up in there, but it’s early yet and the forwards will start climbing the ladder,” Flanagan said.

But against the Raiders, the defenders struggled on both ends, allowing 10 goals and failing to score. The defense was put in difficult situations because of all of thepenalty kills— SU committed six penalties and had two players ejected on Saturday.

Going forward, SU will need Eastwood and DiGirolamo to get back on the scoring track with the forwards to make the Orange balanced. It starts with them.

“I consider myself an offensive defensemen,” DiGirolamo said. “Defense first, obviously, and then I want to help contribute offensively.”

Published on October 20, 2019 at 11:39 pm

Contact Gaurav: gshetty@syr.edu