Four Syracuse skaters tallied goals and goaltender Arielle DeSmet recorded 24 saves in a 4-1 win against RIT on Wednesday at Tennity Ice Pavilion. Orange captain Lauren Bellefontaine recorded three points on a goal and two assists, increasing her career point total to 105, which ties for third on the Syracuse record list and ranks 30th in College Hockey America history.
“Tonight we were consistent with our effort, our attitude and our energy,” said head coach Britni Smith. “I thought we did a good job of continuing to find ways, whether it is blocked shots or our power play in the third period, to get what we needed to come out with a win.”
Syracuse (9-17-1 overall, 6-4 CHA) jumped out to a 1-0 lead less than four minutes into the game when junior Hannah Johnson tallied her fourth goal of the season. Freshman Rhea Hicks fed a pass to Bellefontaine in the right circle and then Bellefontaine hit Johnson with a pass in the left circle for the score. Johnson also recorded five blocked shots in the game.
In the second period, DeSmet recorded 14 of her 24 saves to keep the score 1-0 after 40 minutes. The Charlotte, Vt. native has 2,088 career saves, which ranks 14th in CHA history.
After RIT (4-22/1-8-1) tied the game three minutes into the third period, 1-1, the Orange scored three straight goals to close out the win. Bellefontaine scored the game-winner with 15:06 left in the game on assists from junior Tatum White and senior Mae Batherson. Bellefontaine has scored at least one point in six consecutive games, while Batherson has been on the scoresheet in four of the last six games.
Sophomore Madison Primeau scored the third Syracuse goal driving a low shot past RIT goalie Sarah Coe six minutes after Bellefontaine’s goal. Junior Kambel Beacom connected with Primeau on a stretch pass from the Orange defensive zone, hitting Primeau at the far blue line and the Etobicoke, Ontario native finished the play with a shot between the circles for the goal.
Junior Sarah Thompson scored her third goal of the series on a shorthanded tally assisted by Bellefontaine with 2:27 remaining in the game. The Ottawa, Ontario native leads the Orange with 12 goals this season.
The Orange close out their stretch of six games in 10 days at Mercyhurst on Saturday January 28th and Sunday Jan. 29th.
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