Double OT Win Sends Orange to AHA Semifinals

Saturday, February 22

Syracuse, N.Y.

3 p.m.

Syracuse University

14-21-0

Robert Morris

8-24-3

OT 1

OT 2

Robert Morris

Syracuse

2/22/2025 9:13:00 PM | Ice Hockey

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University women's ice hockey triumphed over Robert Morris with a 3-2 double overtime victory at Tennity Ice Pavilion on Saturday night, advancing to the AHA Semifinals. The Orange finished undefeated (5-0) against RMU for the 2025 season.

Syracuse (14-21-0, 12-9-0 AHA) broke the ice when Heidi Knoll netted a goal in the second period assisted by Jackson Kinsler and Sami Gendron. The Orange kept rolling in the third as Bryn Saarela lit the lamp, powered by a pass from Kinsler and Tatum White. Freshman forward Peyton Armstrong scored the game winning goal in the second overtime period with Maya D'Arcy providing the assist. Goalkeeper Allie Kelley turned aside 40 shots and finished with a .95 save percentage, surrendering two goals in the 83 minutes of play.

Robert Morris (8-24-3, 2-17-2 AHA) closed the gap with a goal from Jersey Phillips, assisted by Mya Neugent. Morgan Giannone registered a Blue and Red goal assisted by Thalia D'Elia midway through the third period. In net, Lucy Phillips stopped 26shots to keep her team in the hunt.

How it Happened

The first period was a defensive showdown, with both teams clogging shooting lanes and racking up blocked shots. Goaltenders stood tall as neither offense could light the lamp, keeping the game scoreless through 20 minutes.
With both teams at full strength, Knoll received the puck in the offensive zone from Gendron and Kinsler. Finding an opening between the defensemen, Knoll took a shot and scored at the 1:29 mark of the second period to put the Orange up 1-0.
Early in the third period, RMU searched for the equalizer and Neugent found Phillips with a well-timed pass. Phillips managed to slip one past Kelley, tying the game 1-1.
Giannone followed up with a go-ahead goal at the 11:50 mark in the third frame as she plotted the puck in the net with help from D'Elia to give Robert Morris the 2-1 advantage.
With four minutes remaining in the third, Saarela regained the Orange's momentum on the power play. She took a quick pass from Kinsler and unleashed a heavy shot that found its way straight to the net, evening the score at 2-2.
For the rest of the third period, Syracuse's defense remained steadfast, shutting down the Colonials' attack. Both teams exchanged control of the puck, ramping up the intensity and ultimately pushing the game into overtime.
Both goalies stood tall as impenetrable walls, turning aside every shot that came their way for the full 20 minutes of the first overtime. With each side battling fiercely for an opening, neither could break through, forcing the game into double overtime after a relentless defensive showcase.
At the 2:01 mark in the second extra period, Armstrong pounced on the puck after receiving a slick feed from D'Arcy. She wasted no time, blasting a shot past the goaltender to secure a 3-2 victory and send Syracuse to the AHA semifinals.

Head Coach Britni Smith
"I'm just really excited for our team. RMU gave us a tough game today — they fought hard and put us on our heels a few times. It was great to see our response and get the job done. We stuck with it, and as the game went on, we kept improving. I'm proud of this group. We've really enjoyed this season, and we're excited for what's next."

Behind the Numbers

Saarela scored her 17th goal of the season, while Knoll added her fourth goal of the year. Armstrong tallied her fifth goal of the campaign .
The Orange penalty kill was solid, shutting down the Colonials on both of their power play chances (0-for-2) and Syracuse capitalized on 50-percent of its power play opportunities.

Up Next for Syracuse

The Orange advance to the AHA Semifinals, set to take place from Friday, Feb. 28, to Sunday, March 2. The best-of-three series against Mercyhurst will be played in Erie, Pennsylvania.