Syracuse’s College Hockey America season didn’t start off exactly the way it hoped.

After dropping its CHA opener 2-1 against Robert Morris on Friday in Moon Township, Pa., the Orange (8-11-1, 0-1-1 CHA) was able to rebound slightly and tie the Colonials (11-2-2, 1-0-1 CHA) 1-1 on Saturday.

However, this was a far cry from SU’s success against Robert Morris a year ago. Last season, Syracuse went 2-0-2 against the Colonials, scoring 12 goals in the process.

The weekend started off well for the Orange, though. Nicole Ferrara took advantage of a power play opportunity midway through the first period on Friday, scoring off a pass from Margot Scharfe for the freshman’s second goal in as many games.

But RMU would respond. Midway through the second period, Robert Morris got on the board with a power play goal by Thea Imbrogno. Later in the period, Kelsey Thomas, who had a shot bang off the post early in the first period, put the Colonials ahead for good, scoring her seventh goal of the season with less than 30 seconds remaining in the second period.

SU had a chance to equalize the score early in the third period with a five-on-three power play, but the special teams struggles continued and RMU goaltender Kristen DiCocco made four saves on the penalty kill to preserve the 2-1 victory for Robert Morris.

Syracuse got out to a lead again on Saturday, this time by way of Holly Carrie-Mattimoe’s ninth goal of the season early in the second period.

Again, the Colonials responded. Two minutes later, Rebecca Vint squeaked a wrist shot by Kallie Billadeau to tie the score at one.

The Orange had no shortage of scoring opportunities the rest of the way. SU tested DiCocco with 12 shots in the third period before outshooting RMU 7-4 in the five-minute overtime, but was unable to score giving SU its first tie of the season.

The same issues that have plagued Syracuse all season were there again this weekend. Both Jenesica Drinkwater and Kallie Billadeau started games in goal and both played well allowing two goals and one goal, respectively. But the Orange struggled on the power play.

While the penalty kill was effective in limiting Robert Morris to just one power-play goal on the weekend, SU was unable to get anything done with a man advantage. Syracuse was just 1-of-14 on the weekend and squandered a two-man advantage opportunity in Friday’s loss.

The Orange now has three weeks off for winter break before returning to action Jan. 2 for a nonconference matchup with Colgate in Hamilton

Published on December 11, 2011 at 12:00 pm