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Many adjectives can describe Syracuse’s season so far: resilient, undisciplined and clutch are just a few.

But no word encapsulates SU’s season as well as inconsistent does. The Orange have been the epitome of it through 21 games – whenever they begin to turn a corner, they can’t build momentum.

After winning three straight games from Oct. 17 to 24 to improve to 5-4, it seemed SU was turning its season around after a rocky first six contests. But rather than continuing its winning ways, Syracuse lost five of its next six games, headlined by a sweep at Penn State, where it was outscored 18-2.

The Orange rebounded with shootout wins over Mercyhurst and then-No. 5 Cornell, along with a road sweep over RPI, but fell 1-0 on Friday to Robert Morris. Despite outshooting RMU 36-23, Colonials’ goalie Maggie Hatch was impenetrable and handled every Syracuse shot.

Friday’s loss was another instance of the inconsistency that’s plagued SU this season. On Saturday, Syracuse had another chance to get back in the win column and earn its seventh victory in eight games against RMU. But it couldn’t emerge victorious.

Syracuse (8-11-3, 4-6-2 Atlantic Hockey America) tied Robert Morris (8-12-2, 6-6-2 AHA) 2-2 on Saturday, losing in shootout fashion for the first time this season. Heidi Knoll’s third-period goal knotted the game at two, but Alaina Giampietro’s shootout tally proved to be the difference.

“It was a close game. It really could have gone either way,” SU associate head coach Heather Farrell said. “Tight one, good on our army for getting all those points this weekend.”

The power play has been SU’s Achilles’ heel this season. Entering Saturday, it had a measly 9.6% man-up conversion rate and didn’t capitalize on the lone chance it had Friday.

After a tripping call on the Colonials, Syracuse peppered Hatch with shot after shot on its first power play. Emma Gnade’s initial try was blocked, one of 11 RMU blocks in the first period, but Jordan Blouin dished her a cross-ice feed right after.

SU’s leading goal-scorer cashed in through two defenders to get it on the board first. It was Gnade’s eighth goal of the season and fourth in three games, giving the Orange their first player-up tally since Nov. 15.

“Emma’s just growing exponentially in her confidence, in her physical play, and she’s got the skills to back it up,” Farrell said. “She’s so detailed in practice, and she’s playing so much part right now. It’s no wonder she’s finding the back of the net.”

Aside from the goal, Syracuse’s aggression was evident in all facets of the game. Its attack pestered RMU’s backline at will and unleashed 16 first-period shots on Hatch, but couldn’t add to its early advantage.

Syracuse’s momentum began to vanish in the latter half of the period, and Robert Morris evened the score. Off an assist from Thalia D’Elia, who notched RMU’s game-winning goal Friday, Alexis Vrana rifled the puck past Ava Drabyk and into the net.

Due to a slashing penalty on the Orange, RMU had a power play early into the second period. Emma Godding flustered Drabyk with a series of shots, but nothing got by. For an SU squad that ranks last in the AHA in penalty kill at just 74.4%, it was an encouraging sign.

Even with a rough two-game stretch at Penn State, Drabyk has responded tremendously, and the start of the second frame was no different.

However, her success didn’t last. In the waning minutes of the second period, Giampietro broke the tie off an assist from Laura Eustace and Catriona Crarer. Giampietro’s nine goals coming into Saturday were the seventh-most in the AHA, and she knocked one past Drabyk for a 2-1 lead.

For the second straight day, SU had its back against the wall entering the third period.

While Syracuse outshot RMU 14-5 in the final frame on Friday, D’Elia’s goal was all the Colonials needed for the victory. The Orange pounced on net and had multiple opportunities to send the game to overtime, but Hatch held steady.

Saturday was a different story.

Less than two minutes into the period, Knoll knotted the game at two. Her first goal of the season breathed life into an SU attack that was stymied all of the second.

It wasn’t just scoring that kept Syracuse in the game. The Orange killed their fourth straight RMU power play after Charlotte Hallett was called for body checking, and their defense rattled the Colonials.

SU’s defense remained strong and steady throughout the period. Its offense struggled to find its rhythm, recording only nine shots on Hatch, but Drabyk and Co. kept RMU at bay offensively.

“The third period was pretty strong,” Farrell said. “We were able to get a little bit more momentum.”

After an uneventful third period, SU headed to overtime for the third time in the last two weeks. Despite an array of shots on goal for both squads, Drabyk and Hatch held strong.

Just like that, Syracuse was going to another shootout. But this time, it didn’t end in its favor.

Following Gnade and Knoll misses, Giampietro snuck one through Drabyk for the shootout-winner. For a top line that dominated SU all series, Giampietro’s goal was its crowning moment.

It’d be an understatement to say it was a bitter ending for SU. Knoll’s third-period equalizer looked as if SU was on track for a momentum-boosting win.

But winning one-goal games at a high rate isn’t always sustainable.

“I just love how much we’re competing and we’re progressing… I think we’re a better team than we’re proving right now,” Farrell said.

Published on December 6, 2025 at 7:14 pm
Contact Spencer: sabrod@syr.edu | @spencerbrod20