The Orange (8-9-2) put up 41 shots in the game, including four in overtime, but only one passed through Nittany Lions senior goaltender Celine Whitlanger as Syracuse tied Penn State (4-10-4) 1-1.
“Overall we were average,” head coach Paul Flanagan said following the tie. “Looking at the opportunities we’ve had both nights, we’ve got to bury the puck. I wouldn’t say it was a great weekend, or even a good weekend, but we still came out with three points. When this team cranks it up and we’re playing 60 minutes and we’re on our toes and our feet are moving, we’re a good team.”
Just like Friday’s game, Syracuse scored first in the opening period, with Penn State later responding in the second. The Nittany Lions couldn’t capitalize on a golden opportunity to take a 2-1 lead with 5:42 remaining in regulation. Strikingly similar to Friday’s contest, Penn State got the puck off of a misplay and left wing Amy Petersen was off to the races, going in on SU goalie Gilligan one-on-one. She scored the only goal for Penn State on Friday off the same situation, but this time Gilligan stood tall and made arguably her biggest stop of the afternoon.
“I think I just played it differently,” Gilligan said about the save. “I wasn’t waiting for her to make the first move, I forced her to make it instead. I came out of my crease more and was a little more aggressive and took away her opportunity.”
With less than two minutes to go in regulation, senior left wing Nicole Ferrara almost put the Orange ahead off a great shot, but it hit the pipe and went wide. She scored the opening goal for Syracuse on Friday.
“We’re not happy with a tie, but we’ll take it,” Gilligan added.
The Orange is back in action on Thursday at home against Boston College (18-0-0). SU will look to end the Eagles’ winning streak.
