In loss to Big Red, Orange’s Billadeau sets program record with 57 saves
Kallie Billadeau constantly saw a Cornell player bearing down on her, ready to fire another puck at her. The goalie was busy in net, saving shot after shot to keep Syracuse in the game with the No. 1 team in the country.
Billadeau stopped a career-high and school-record 57 shots Tuesday night as SU fell to Cornell 4-1. Her tough performance set the tone for the Orange, which gave Cornell a fight despite being outshot 61 to 16.
The freshman goaltender said the barrage of shots made the game exciting and intense.
‘I prefer it over getting five shots a period or something,’ she said. ‘It keeps you in the game, it keeps you focused mentally. It’s tiring, but that’s why we play.’
Billadeau was forced to make every save possible on the night. She turned away shots with her stick and pads and grabbed them out of the air with her glove. She recorded saves falling down and with her body, holding on as Cornell attackers poked at the rebound.
It was a unique experience for the freshman, who had never been challenged that much in a game.
‘I think the most I’ve ever seen was like 42,’ Billadeau said. ‘That is definitely a little bit more and obviously way better shots than high school.’
Syracuse head coach Paul Flanagan said her simple style and poise allowed Billadeau to rise to the occasion.
‘She was very cool and calm and collected,’ Flanagan said. ‘Her style is just to be very technically sound. She’s not a flopper or all over the place, and I think
you could see tonight a lot of shots hit her.’
Cornell crashed the net for second and third shots on goal all night, but the third-ranked scoring offense in the nation didn’t break her easily.
The Orange was prepared for the challenge after facing No. 1 Mercyhurst five times last season. After losing its first game to its division rival 8-1, SU knew what to expect and played tough in the final four matchups.
That experience proved invaluable for facing Cornell.
‘I think last year we learned a lesson when Mercyhurst came in early in the year and it didn’t go so well opening night, but I think you start to figure things out,’ Flanagan said.
‘By games three, four and five, we just started to play with confidence, and that’s what it’s all about.’
Billadeau’s play energized the Orange early. When junior Kelly Dimmen scored her first goal of the season over eight minutes into the first period, SU gained more confidence and a rare lead on Cornell.
Dimmen’s goal from the blue line ended a four-game shutout streak for Cornell, in which it outscored its opponents by 17 goals.
The No. 1 team evened the score over five minutes later with a goal by sophomore Laura Fortino from point-blank range.
Cornell eventually broke Billadeau for three more goals, proving to be too strong for SU to handle defensively. The potent Cornell offense controlled the game and the Orange game plan.
Syracuse was forced to play its forwards back on defense to help clear the puck, which hurt its chances to get anything going offensively. SU was often limited to one shot on offense.
Even with the extra help, the Orange couldn’t contain its opponent. Flanagan said the defense needs to improve to have a chance to win games.
‘Our ‘D’ has to do a better job of clearing rebounds,’ Flanagan said. ‘I don’t know how many times we did get our stick on a rebound, and we punched it right back out to the point.’
With a shaky defense, Billadeau needed to be perfect for SU to win. But perfection was nearly impossible against a dynamic Cornell offense.
Still, senior Julie Rising said the freshman goalie was the reason SU had a chance.
‘It was incredible,’ Rising said. ‘It definitely could have been a different outcome without her in net.’
It was an exhausting night physically for the goaltender. But Flanagan said her positioning and focus made most of the saves a breeze.
‘She didn’t really have to make too many spectacular saves,’ Flanagan said. ‘I thought she made it look easy, and that’s a good sign.’
