The Lindenwood women's hockey team dropped its final home contest of the season on Saturday afternoon at Lindenwood Ice Arena in Wentzville, Mo. The Lions were defeated 5-4 by the Syracuse Orange, as the teams split the two-game series.
 
After nearly 16 scoreless minutes to begin the first period, Lindenwood's Erin Near picked up her second goal of the season to give the Lions a 1-0 lead. Ally Larson and Megan Wagner assisted on Near's even-strength goal.
 
Syracuse tied the game at 1-1 just 18 seconds before the end of the first period, picking up a power-play goal.
 
The game remained tied until late in the second period, when Hannah Alt found the back of the net to send the Lions ahead 2-1. Wagner and Shannon Morris-Reade were credited with the assists on Alt's score.
 
Syracuse responded again, scoring twice before the end of the second period, and carried a one-goal lead into the final period.
 
The Orange extended their lead to a 5-2 margin early in the third period, scoring one power-play goal and one at even-strength.
 
Cierra Paisley netted a power-play goal at the 7:19 mark of the third period, bringing Lindenwood within two goals of Syracuse. Courtney Ganske had her 18th assist of the season on Paisley's goal, while Taylor Girard picked up her 10th.
 
Just 1:51 after Paisley's goal, Alt registered her second score of the game to cut the Syracuse lead to just one goal. Alt was on the receiving end of a Girard lead pass, and finished on her breakaway attempt.
 
Lindenwood would have its chances during the remainder of the game, including a power-play opportunity for the final 1:27 of regulation. The Lions turned the one-skater advantage into a two-skater edge by pulling goaltender Sarah McGall. However, Lindenwood was unable to find the equalizing score, and fell by a final of 5-4.
 
McGall stopped 32 shots in goal for the Lions.
 
Lindenwood finished the game 1-4 on its power-play chances, while Syracuse was 2-4 with the man-advantage.
 
With the loss, Lindenwood moves to 9-18-1 and 7-11-0 from within the CHA. The Lions will conclude their regular-season schedule next weekend during a two-game series at Penn State.