Special Teams Preserve 3-0 Victory for Syracuse Women's Ice Hockey over Penn State

This was Syracuse's second win of the season.

Syracuse killed off all eight of Penn State's penalties and converted on one of its six power play chances to earn a 3-0 victory over the Lions Friday.

Stephanie Grossi scored twice in the first seven minutes and fourteen seconds of the contest for the Syracuse Orange (2-7-1, 1-0-0 CHA) as the team faced off against the Nittany Lions (2-7-4, 0-2-3 CHA) in a special teams battle. There was a combined fourteen penalties called in the game, and Syracuse needed to stay sharp if it wanted to secure its first conference and second overall win of the season.

Defenseman Kristen Siermachesky took four of Syracuse's eight penalties in the game, but her team was able to get the freshman out of trouble. Megan Quinn scored the third Orange goal and solidified the lead by jamming home the puck during a scramble play in front of the Penn State net with 8:41 remaining in the third period while Syracuse was on the powerplay.

"It's good to see our kids responding well," Orange head coach Paul Flanagan said following the victory. "They're a little more sure-handed in the zone, getting pucks out and making better decisions. [Penn State] was 0-8 [on the powerplay]. Obviously that was a pretty big key. We have to control [the penalties]. When I see stick penalties...the trips, the hooks...even the body checking penalties...we've got to be more disciplined. Can't be taking eight penalties and expect to win games 3-0."

The Syracuse defense proved stifling for Penn State. The Orange held the Lions to without a shot until six minutes remaining in the first period when Victoria Klimek took an interference penalty, giving Penn State a powerplay opportunity.

Orange goaltender Abbey Miller had to make three consecutive saves off the faceoff, which proved to be her only three of the period. Penn State finished the game with just 14 shots on goal, all of which Miller stopped to secure her first shutout of the season and 10th of her collegiate career.

"It feels pretty good," Miller said with a smile on her face following the victory. "Especially in-conference, it feels good to play well. My team helped me out a lot. I didn't get very many shots. [Penn State] didn't really have a whole lot of scoring opportunities."

Coach Flanagan said that while the team didn't have to rely on the senior goaltender too much, she stood tall when Penn State pushed in the offensive zone throughout the game.

The Orange look for a repeat performance against the Lions as the two teams will rematch Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Tennity Ice Pavilion.

Bravo!

Always great when we beat Penn State -- no matter what the sport. Great win Orangewomen!

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