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Syracuse lost a faceoff in the offensive zone, springing a fast break by RIT. Lexi Sung received a pass in stride. Sung split Lauren Bellefontaine and Hannah Johnson in the neutral zone. Her wide control with the outside of her stick prevented Johnson from checking the puck away. Sung brought the puck back across her body, in preparation for a shot. The freshman got off an attempt from close range, but Arielle DeSmett sprawled across the ice to deny her.

DeSmett’s denial of Sung in the second period with Syracuse (8-17-1, 5-4 CHA) up 1-0, was one of many in the Orange’s 4-1 win over RIT (4-20-1, 1-7 CHA). DeSmett came up with 24 saves, part of an improved defensive effort from Syracuse. The graduate student has been a key piece for Syracuse this season, but in the past few weeks, the Orange have been leaking goals.

Last week, Cornell scored four and Lindenwood scored six, and RIT scored five last night against the Orange. Tonight it was a different story, as the lone goal that SU let up came in the second period.

DeSmet conceded 4 goals in a 5-3 loss against RIT last night, but bounced with her performance on Wednesday.

“Yesterday, we struggled in our defensive zone, so that was a huge thing that we talked about for the game,” Bellefontaine said. “We were way more physical, not letting them skate around as easily as they did yesterday.”

In the first period, Syracuse shut down the Tigers, outshooting them 10-4. RIT were able to threaten on a couple of occasions, but no concrete chances came and the Orange still led by one.

After an aggressive start, Syracuse sat back while RIT took control of the game in the second. The Orange struggled to get out of their defensive zone as the Tigers created numerous chances, but DeSmet was up to the task each time.

Having recently recorded her 2000th career save, DeSmet made an array of stops, with her stick, glove, body and even her face mask. She made 14 total saves in the second period to keep the Orange ahead. Somehow, DeSmet kept the puck from going in by reading each deflection and never causing danger by spilling the puck in front.

“She’s what keeps us united,” Bellefontaine said. “When she is on fire, the rest of us are on fire. We look up to her a lot, and we’re just really confident in her abilities.”

DeSmet didn’t get much help from her teammates in the second period, as Syracuse’s attacks fell flat. The Orange’s inability to create chances put pressure on the defense. The Orange didn’t record their first shot in the period until 7:50 remaining. Finishing with just six shots in the second, Syracuse scored its lowest total out of the three periods.

Syracuse head coach Britni Smith explained that it was her team’s goal to “win every period.” She felt her team did a good job in the first, but “fell on their heels” in the second. Smith said that DeSmet’s play gave them the opportunity to stay in the game.

Holding onto a 1-0 lead in the third period, Syracuse had a rare defensive breakdown. Maya D’Arcy was unable to get the puck out of Syracuse’s zone. RIT held them in, while Lindsay Maloney latched onto a loose puck, centering it in front for Amy Dotson. In between three Syracuse defenders, Dotson’s shot snuck by DeSmet at close range, tying the game up three minutes into the period.

But DeSmet didn’t let the goal faze her, shutting RIT out for the rest of the game.

“As a goalie, from one save to the next, you have to rethink quickly no matter what,” DeSmet said. “Things can change quickly, so coming back after each save with a new mindset and focusing on the next one is huge.”

Syracuse responded with three straight goals to finish the game. Bellefontaine scored during a 5-on-3 opportunity before Madison Primeau finished on a breakaway.

Throughout the rest of the game, Syracuse soaked up some pressure, but the defense was alert to any danger. When Syracuse needed DeSmet, she answered the call. Not as active in the third, she still came up with six saves in the final period. Outside of Syracuse’s 4-1 win over Lindenwood on Friday, this was the least amount the Orange have conceded since a 6-1 victory over Post in late November.

Smith explained that there were no big adjustments from the Orange.

“We have to be tough to play against between the dots,” Smith said. “Make teams work to get into our prime scoring area. Again, tonight, I felt we were a little inconsistent at times.”

With just under five minutes to play, RIT went a man up, after Madison Primeau was called for body checking. The Tigers swung the puck from side to side, but the Orange rotated, cutting off passing lanes. Syracuse did a good job of keeping the puck on the perimeter, preventing any scrambles in front of the net.

Eventually the tigers pulled Sarah Coe, giving them a two-man advantage. A misplaced pass from Kyla Bear led to a break down in the attack. Sarah Thompson broke the other way, weaving around a couple defenders, putting the puck in the empty net to make it 4-1.

Published on January 25, 2023 at 10:59 pm

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