Poor 3rd period plunges Syracuse to 4-0 loss vs. Lindenwood
Despite a scoreless first two periods, Syracuse allowed four third-period goals in its 4-0 loss to Lindenwood Saturday. Tara Deluca | Asst. Photo Editor
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After Syracuse’s clash with Lindenwood on Friday, SU head coach Britni Smith said her team didn’t come out strong enough in the first period. Despite holding the Lions scoreless, the Orange’s lethargic offense mustered just eight shots.
While the second period was marginally better, Syracuse still couldn’t break the ice. From ill-advised shots to stellar LU defense, SU’s offense remained dormant and didn’t score.
Although Nea Tervonen broke the tie 49 seconds into the final frame and the Orange prevailed 2-1, it was far from pretty and not sustainable. Slow starts and missed offensive opportunities were going to result in a loss sooner rather than later.
The loss came the next day. Syracuse (13-14-3, 9-9-2 Atlantic Hockey America) fell 4-0 to Lindenwood (9-17-2, 7-10-1) Saturday behind a sluggish start and dreadful third period. SU’s offense struggled mightily throughout the game, and its defense allowed four third-period goals in the defeat.
“Obviously not the result we wanted,” Smith said. “Just didn’t really have it there in the third; giving up four is definitely not the normal for us.”
Syracuse has been the epitome of inconsistency in first periods this season. Against Delaware on Jan. 3, SU scored two first-period goals en route to a 4-0 win. On Jan. 9 against RMU, the Orange scored all three of their goals in the first in a commanding 3-0 victory.
But then there are games such as Friday, where SU looks unprepared and lackadaisical out of the gate. A torrid start to the third period saved Syracuse from disaster Friday, but that was far from the case Saturday – even if Smith doesn’t think so.
“I don’t know if it was a slow start offensively,” Smith said. “Obviously we didn’t score, but we were pretty happy with our first period.”
Lindenwood peppered Ava Drabyk and Syracuse’s defense with a batch of shots early, but the Orange held steady. SU blocked nine shots in the first period, contributing to a physical battle.
Charlotte Hallett tested LU goalie Lexington Secreto with a few shots, but the Lions’ netminder stifled them. Whenever Syracuse drove into the crease, it led to a turnover or save.
SU swarmed Secreto to begin the second period, with shots from Jackson Kinsler and Nea Tervonen. Nothing got through.
Syracuse’s hesitancy on offense was also evident in the period. On its first power play, SU dished the puck around but didn’t unleash many shots on goal. Jordan Blouin had an opportunity to put the Orange in front, but she couldn’t repeat her Friday magic – where her third-period goal was the difference.
Entering Saturday, Secreto’s 2.62 goals allowed per game were the third-most in the AHA. She’s shown flashes of brilliance, such as a shutout against Delaware on Nov. 15, but by and large has been mediocre.
The Orange still couldn’t take advantage. It came back to bite them just 12 seconds into the third.
Molly Henderson forcefully glided down the ice, weaving through Syracuse defenders before rifling one into the net. Drabyk had been flawless to that point, but Henderson made quick work of her to give Lindenwood the lead.
Even with the Lions’ subpar play this season, Henderson has been a staple on their offense. Her 12 goals not only lead the team but rank sixth in the AHA, ahead of anyone on SU. Syracuse allowing Henderson to score was inevitable, but its response was lackluster.
Instead of capitalizing on their power play, the Orange fell flat. Twenty-nine seconds after SU’s player-up advantage expired, Paige Cline doubled the Lions’ lead, putting SU in a perilous position.
As a response, Syracuse pestered Lindenwood’s defense – one that was vulnerable Friday night. But this time, Secreto made a series of diving saves to preserve LU’s lead. SU’s best chance to trim its deficit instead boosted the Lions’ momentum further.
Minutes later, Josey Dunne-Weeks tacked on another goal. Syracuse hadn’t come back from multi-goal deficits this season, making a three-goal hole seem insurmountable.
And it was. Henderson put on the finishing touches with her second goal of the game, and SU only salvaged a four-game split with an AHA bottom-feeder.
Syracuse’s third-period surge was the main factor in its victory Friday, but its third-period plunge was the key reason for its loss Saturday – emblematic of the rollercoaster season it has had through 30 games.
Last weekend’s valiant effort against then-No. 4 Penn State was a step in the right direction. The last two games against Lindenwood were two steps back.
“I think just continue to focus on our little details to the game,” Smith said of the improvement she hopes the team makes. “I think our systems are pretty good in place, and now it’s about playing detailed hockey and your best when it matters.”
