SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Lindenwood Women's Hockey team (8-17-2, 6-10-1 AHA) fell on the road in the series opener at Syracuse on Friday afternoon by a final score of 2-1. Paige Cline netted the Lions only goal of the contest late in the third period, but Lindenwood was unable to find the equalizer in the final two minutes of play. 

In the first two periods of play, both squads were unable to find the back of the net despite both the Orange and the Lions having opportunities to score the game's first goal. LU headed to the power play early in the first period but never recorded a shot as the Syracuse penalty kill unit recorded the only shot during the extra attacker opportunity in which it was blocked by Lucie Quarto. Despite not being able to capitalize on the power play, it was the defense for Lindenwood that kept the Orange off the scoreboard in the first period. The Lions blocked seven shots in the first twenty minutes of play and Lexington Secreto stopped all eight shots that she faced as the game stayed scoreless after one. In the second period, Secreto made 17 saves including seven of those while the Lions were short handed to deny the Orange from taking the lead. Lindenwood was awarded two power plays in the middle period, but were only able to get two shots on goal during the four minutes of power play time as the score remained tied at zero after 40 minutes. 

In the third period, the Orange were able to score the game's first goal on the power play at the 0:49 mark to grab the 1-0 lead. Syracuse added on to their lead in the middle of the period just after the Lions penalty kill unit had killed off a five minute major penalty to extend their lead to 2-0 with just under 12 minutes to play in the contest. Lindenwood got on the board later in the third with an extra skater on the ice as Paige Cline was able to control a rebound off a shot from Silje Gundersen and snuck the puck through the legs of the Syracuse goaltender to cut the Orange deficit to 2-1 with 1:58 remaining in the game. The Lions continued to put the pressure on Syracuse in the final 1:58 recording two shots on goal with the extra attacker still on the ice, but Syracuse was able to hold on to take the victory in the first game of the series. 

Josey Dunne-Weeks led the Lions in both shots on goal with seven and blocked shots with four. Lindenwood will be back in action tomorrow afternoon for the series finale against Syracuse as puck drop is set for 12 p.m. CT.