GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Syracuse women’s hockey team (4-6-3, 3-2-1 CHA) knocked off the No. 7-ranked North Dakota (6-5-4) on the road on Friday afternoon in a 3-0 shutout win.
“It was a nice win for our program today,” head coach Paul Flanagan said. “The team showed a ton of heart with 28 blocked shots, some timely scoring and many big saves by (Abbey) Miller to secure the shutout.”
Lindsay Eastwood used the power play to score the first goal of the day for the Orange. Eastwood’s goal was assisted by Jessica Sibley and Heather Schwarz and it was the eventual game-winner, the first of her career.
Schwarz would have a productive day at Ralph Engelstad Arena. To go along with her assist, she scored two goals for Syracuse. It was the second time this season that Schwarz has had multiple goals in a game, the other was at Mercyhurst on Nov. 11. The three points in the contest were a new single-game career high for Schwarz. She now leads the team with seven goals this season.
The Orange also defeated a ranked Fighting Hawks club last season, 5-2, in Syracuse on Nov. 28, 2015. North Dakota was No. 9 at the time. It was the first road win against a ranked opponent since Oct. 4, 2013 when ‘Cuse topped Northeastern, 4-1, in Boston. The Orange have beaten a ranked foe in each of the last four seasons.
It was the third shutout of the season for Syracuse and goaltender Abbey Miller. It was the first time this season North Dakota has been held scoreless and the three-goal win was the largest against the Hawks since No. 1 Wisconsin defeated them, 5-2, on Oct. 23.
Jessica Sibley finished the game with two assists in the contest. Sibley is now tied for the most points on the team with 10, alongside Alysha Burriss, who also had an assist in the game. With the two points, she moves into fourth place in career points at Syracuse and is tied for the fourth most assists in Syracuse career history.
Syracuse and North Dakota will take to the ice again on Saturday at Ralph Engelstad Arena. Puck drop is set for 3:07 p.m. (EST).
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