Ice Hockey

Syracuse adds to program-record losing streak in 4-2 loss to RIT

Ally Walsh | Staff Photographer

Maddi Welch did not start on Friday, but after Allison Small gave up four first period goals, Welch came in relief.

By Danny Emerman

Though Syracuse entered conference play riding a nine-game losing streak, the Orange faced a familiar foe: the RIT Tigers. When the teams last squared off on Nov. 16, SU led 4-2 with just under 16 minutes remaining before allowing four-straight goals, eventually dropping the game.

In Friday night’s matchup, Syracuse surrendered four goals in the first period and couldn’t match the Tigers early production. With the 4-2 defeat to RIT (8-10-4, 4-4 College Hockey America), the Orange (4-16-1, 4-4) have now lost 10-straight games, the longest streak in program history, as they enter the bulk of their conference games.

12 of Syracuse’s remaining 13 games are against CHA opponents, and conference wins are the only factor in playoff seeding. Each team in the conference advances to the postseason tournament. With a 4-4-0 conference record, SU sits tied with the Tigers in third place.

The Tigers broke the ice just over four minutes into the game with a goal from Jade Mancini. They then added two power play goals and an even-strength score before the first intermission, as well.

Sophomore goaltender Allison Small allowed all four goals on 13 shots on net. It was Small’s first start between the pipes and her first appearance for the Orange after transferring from Quinnipiac this season. Small only lasted 20 minutes, as senior Maddi Welch replaced her after the first period. Welch denied all 19 shots she faced.



After the first period, Syracuse outplayed the Tigers. Emma Polaski and Jessica DiGirolamo assisted Abby Moloughney’s second period power play goal to cut RIT’s lead to 4-1. Then, halfway through the third period, captain Brooke Avery netted another power play goal. However, penalties on Allie Munroe and Lauren Bellefontaine halted the Orange’s momentum, and the 4-2 deficit proved insurmountable.

Syracuse finished the game with four more shots on goal and 37 more total shot attempts than the Tigers, but the shot disparity wasn’t enough to overcome RIT’s first period execution.

Syracuse’s previous longest losing streak came in 2008, the program’s first year, when the Orange lost the first six games of their debut season. SU has five upcoming home games to get back on track, starting with CHA opponent Robert Morris on Jan. 18.





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