After jumping out to a four-goal lead in the first period, the most goals scored in a period in two seasons, the Syracuse hockey team allowed Lindenwood to crawl back into the game in the second and third period to ultimately tie 4-4 in Friday’s series opener.
Melissa Piacentini scored the first two goals of the game for the Orange, the 41st and 42nd of her career, to break the all-time goals scored record at Syracuse.
Stephanie Grossi and Allie LaCombe each added goals of their own to open up a 4-0 lead with 4:40 to play in the first period. The Orange would finish the frame with a 16-6 shots advantage in the first and a 41-23 tally overall, but the Lions added two goals in each remaining period to even things up.
The scoring got underway when Piacentini scored less than 10 seconds into an Orange power play. She fired a shot from between the circles that made its way past Nicole Hensley for the goal. Akane Hosoyamada and Jessica Sibley each provided assists on the play.
Piacentini scored her second goal just before the midway mark of the period from right in front, with Grossi and Emily Costales providing the assists.
Grossi scored her own with 8:17 remaining in the period after being set up by Piacentini and Larissa Martyniuk.
Less than four minutes later, LaCombe skated up the wing and beat Hensley near post for the fourth ‘Cuse goal after being assisted by Alysha Burriss and Kaillie Goodnough.
Shara Jasper put the Lions on the board 11:11 into the second period after floating around the blue line led to a 2-on-1 break with her and Jordyn Constance. Jasper beat Jenn Gilligan for the goal to get Lindenwood back into the game.
Constance would set up all-four Lindenwood goals.
Carrie Atkinson scored just 2:13 later for the Lions on a shot from just above the circles to head into the second trailing the Orange by two.
Lyndsay Kirkham scored an extra-man goal for Lindenwood 4:47 into the third and Britannia Gillanders scored just seconds after a ‘Cuse penalty ended exactly six minutes later to tie the game at 4.
In overtime, the Orange held a 2-1 shots advantage, but couldn’t capitalize on a power play chance in the period to come away with the win.
However, due to Penn State’s loss to Mercyhurst, the Orange moved to just two points back of the No. 2 seed in the CHA standings with three games to play.
The teams will meet again at 2 p.m. on Saturday, with the program’s five seniors being honored before the game.
