The Lindenwood Women's Hockey team (5-10-0, 2-7-0 AHA) came up short at Centene Community Ice Center on Friday, falling to Syracuse by a final score of 4-1. Renee Ng scored her second goal of the season in the first period to give the Lions an early 1-0 lead, but the Orange responded with four unanswered goals over the final two periods to take the series opener.
The Lions generated three early shots on goal in the opening minutes, creating several scoring opportunities, but the Syracuse goaltender turned aside each attempt to keep the game scoreless. Lindenwood's early pressure eventually paid off when Ng found the back of the net at the 10:24 mark to give the Lions a 1-0 advantage. Raquel McCormack recorded her fourth assist of the season on the play, retrieving the puck behind the net before sending a backhanded pass toward Ng in the left slot, who buried the opportunity. Syracuse responded with 10 shots on goal following the Ng goal, but Eva Filippova stopped all 10 attempts to keep Lindenwood in front heading into the first intermission.
The Orange came out of the first intermission with five shots on goal in the opening two minutes of the second period and eventually found the equalizer at the 3:09 mark while short handed, tying the contest at one. Following the goal, the Lions created several quality scoring chances, including an attempt from Krisztina Weiler, but were unable to capitalize on a power-play opportunity. Syracuse eventually took its first lead of the night at the 15:19 mark, moving the puck quickly from side to side in front of the net before finding the back of the net to take a 2-1 advantage into the final period.
The Orange continued their momentum into the third period, scoring less than four minutes into the frame to extend their lead to 3-1 with 16:48 remaining. Nicole Pietrucha generated a scoring opportunity midway through the period after finding open ice and getting past a Syracuse defender, but the Orange goaltender turned away her attempt to keep the deficit at two. The Lions put an extra attacker on the ice late in the contest following penalties to both teams that created a four-on-four situation, but Syracuse capitalized on the empty net and extended their lead to 4-1 to secure the victory.
Weiler led Lindenwood with five shots on goal, while Tiril Arntzen won a team-high 10 faceoffs. Filippova also finished the night with 38 saves against the Orange.
"I thought we started off really strong and it was probably one of our best starts at home." said head coach Max Gavin. "Unfortunately, giving up a short handed goal can really take the wind out of your sails and that really kick started their momentum tonight."
Lindenwood will close out their final home game of 2026 tomorrow afternoon when they welcome Syracuse back to Centene Community Ice Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 PM.
