Syracuse ice hockey beats Mercyhurst 3-1 in AHA opener to remain undefeated
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Rylee McLeod was quiet in Syracuse’s season-opening sweep of Stonehill last weekend. Across the two contests, the forward tallied nine shots, but none found the back of the net.
It wasn’t uncommon for the veteran, who had scored just nine times in two years entering 2026, but it was discouraging nonetheless. But eventually, something had to give.
It took McLeod just two minutes and 45 seconds to make her mark in Friday’s win over Mercyhurst. After a scoreless first period, McLeod scored twice in the second to give Syracuse a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.
McLeod was all over the ice, making an impact wherever she skated in Syracuse’s (3-0-0, 1-0-0 Atlantic Hockey America) 3-1 win over Mercyhurst (2-3-0, 0-1-0 AHA) on Friday evening. Despite being outshot 27-25 and going 0-for-4 on power plays, the Orange applied pressure throughout the game and emerged victorious. It was the Orange’s eighth road win against Mercyhurst in program history and first win in regulation over the Lakers since February 2025.
SU kept its momentum from the season’s opening weekend, accruing five shots in the first 10 minutes of play. However, unlike last weekend, when it scored in the first period of both games, SU didn’t score in the first period on Friday. The Orange couldn’t capitalize on an early power play, letting a golden opportunity slip through their hands.
Despite three more chances, the Orange couldn’t convert on power plays for the rest of the evening, contributing to a bleak two-for-13 mark on the season.
After laying dormant for the first 13 minutes of the contest, Mercyhurst didn’t take long to catch up. The Lakers fired off a few rapid offensive possessions, but SU’s defense held strong.
Even after a turnover in SU’s defensive zone, netminder Ava Drabyk made the stop. Soon after, Mercyhurst had a chance at the net. A shot rebounded out to Avery Bryk, who buried the shot in the back of Syracuse’s net. However, the goal didn’t stand due to goalie interference, and SU caught a break.
SU got a few shots off in the offensive zone, but none proved to be successful. With time dwindling in the first frame, Jackson Kinsler went down after a hit near the boards. Both teams were assessed a penalty, and the period ended with a minute of four-on-four play.
The second period opened the same way the penalties ended. After Mercyhurst took control in the later stages of the first period, SU ensured the momentum swung in its favor. The front line was oppressive, forcing two quick face-offs in the offensive zone. But when nothing came of them, SU couldn’t keep the Lakers at bay for long.
A Kismet Dogan pass threaded through Syracuse’s defense, putting Holly VanNetten in position to bring it home. However, Drabyk was in a perfect position and slid over for the save.
It didn’t take long for Syracuse to reapply pressure.
Celia Wiegand picked up the puck along the boards in the offensive zone, passing it forward to Kinsler. Kinsler faked for the shot before sliding the puck across the crease to McLeod. The puck bounced around between McLeod and Mercyhurst defenders before settling into the back of the net as SU struck first.
Just under three minutes later, McLeod struck again. This time, the assist came from Maryn Broderick as Syracuse took a two-goal lead.
With momentum firmly on their side, the Orange pushed onward. Jessica Cheung, who earned AHA honors alongside Drabyk last week, got down for a blocked shot. She got up slowly, but entered play later in the period.
Syracuse’s two-goal lead didn’t last long. Just over 10 minutes after McLeod scored, Kendra Raypholtz found herself in the penalty box following a cross-checking call.
Just over a minute into its woman-up advantage, Mercyhurst came streaking down the ice. Sofia Nuutinen grabbed the puck on the far side, slowing up slightly in the corner before backhanding a soft pass to Abby Poitras just in front of the crease. Poitras wasted no time, flicking the puck into the net and slicing Syracuse’s lead in half.
Just like the two previous periods, the third started off slowly. Shots gave way to turnovers as the two teams raced up and down the ice but struggled to put shots in the net.
Desperate for an equalizer, the Lakers applied heavy pressure on SU’s defensive unit. But Drabyk and Co. didn’t relent. The Orange came up big in the defensive zone several times, including a near giveaway in front of the net.
Early in the period, Drabyk attempted to pass the puck into the neutral zone, but Mercyhurst got in the way. Luckily for Drabyk, the slip-up didn’t prove fruitful for the Lakers as the game continued.
With just under six minutes remaining, disaster struck for Mercyhurst. A cross-checking penalty gave SU an advantage, and one minute into the power play, the Lakers were called for another penalty.
However, despite the five-on-three advantage, SU quickly found itself in penalty trouble.
A roughing call sent Nina Geric to the box and gave Mercyhurst an abbreviated power play. In desperation, Mercyhurst head coach Michael Sisti pulled his goaltender, Magdalena Luggin.
As the power play expired, Geric leaped out of the box and Cheung sent the puck into the offensive zone for Geric to pick up. With no one around her, she easily slid the puck home and put a bow on Syracuse’s 3-1 victory.
After opening his Syracuse tenure with a pair of resounding wins last weekend, head coach Brian Idalski’s perfect record remains intact after an emphatic win against one of AHA’s best teams.
