The Orange (18-12-3, 9-8-3 CHA) fell short in the final minutes against RIT (15-15-3, 11-7-2 CHA) on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-1 in overtime at Tennity Ice Pavilion. Nicole Renault scored the game-tying goal halfway through the third period which pushed the game into extra minutes.
In addition to being honored at the beginning of the game, Margot Scharfe, Cara Johnson, Sadie St. Germain, Brittany Krebs, Caitlin Roach and Jenesica Drinkwater made up the starting lineup for their senior game. Goaltender Kallie Billadeau was honored on the bench due to her mid-season injury.
RIT’s Kourtey Kunichika opened scoring in the first period with a shorthanded goal. She took control of the puck at the blue line, which sent out the corner by teammate Emilee Bulleid.Jenesica Drinkwater made the initial breakaway save but Kunichika buried the rebound for the goal.
Syracuse outshot RIT in the second 23 to 13, but the period remained scoreless. The strength of the SU’s power play unit was tested when RIT had two more shorthanded chances on net, but the Orange defense recovered.
Syracuse capitalized on a five-on-three opportunity in the middle of the third period when Akane Hosoyamada got the puck out from in front of the net to Nicole Renault, was at the top of the right circle. Renault wristed it low past Ali Binnington to tie the game at 1-1 with 8:07 remaining.
Midway through the overtime period, Melissa Bromley managed to tip in a shot in front of the net that bounced over Drinkwater’s shoulder to end the game.
Syracuse bested RIT in attempts on net 38-26 and had a total of 70 shots. Drinkwater recorded 24 saves while RIT’s Ali Binnington made 37.
The Orange hosts the first round of the CHA tournament next weekend against Lindenwood in three game series on Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 2.
