Syracuse skated on for the final period of its season, up a goal, just 20 minutes away for its first College Hockey America title.

But four Mercyhurst (27-6-1, 17-3-0 College Hockey America) goals in just more than 14 minutes sent the near-perfect ending to the season crumbling at Mercyhurst Ice Center in Erie, Pa., and the Orange (20-14-1,13-6-1 CHA) left the CHA finals having lost to the Lakers for the third time in SU’s five-year program history.

Shiann Darkangelo’s power play goal with one second remaining in the second period sent SU to the locker room with all the momentum, but it wasn’t to be.

Mercyhurst began its fightback on the scoreboard 4:41 into the third period as Molly Byrne finished past Kallie Billadeau, assisted by Christine Bestland and Jenna Dingeldein.

Melissa Piacentini was whistled for tripping at the same time and Caroline Luczak punished the Orange at 6:33 in the third to give the tournament hosts the lead for good. On the power play, SU conceded again three minutes later to Bestland unassisted. It was the first shorthanded goal scored by a Syracuse opponent all season.

With Billadeau’s net empty – the junior recorded 27 saves on the day – the Lakers sealed the tournament with an unassisted goal by Christie Cicero.

Mercyhurst outshot SU 31-20. SU advanced to the finals after a 2-1 overtime victory against Rochester Institute of Technology on Friday evening.

Sadie St. Germain scored the game-winner then, and made the CHA All-Tournament team Saturday, joined by teammate and defender Brittney Krebs.

Syracuse’s 20 wins are the most in program history and cap a season in which head coach Paul Flanagan earned his second CHA Coach of the Year award after last year’s team finished 10-22-3, 1-8-3 in the CHA.

Defender Akane Hosoyamada and goaltender Jenesica Drinkwater made first-team All-Conference, forwards Nicole Ferrara and Margot Scharfe joined them as second-team All-Conference and freshman defender Nicole Renault made the CHA All-Rookie team.

Scharfe defended her Best Defensive Forward title, Hosoyamada earned Best Defenseman and senior Holly Carrie-Mattimoe earned the sportsmanship award.

Published on March 10, 2013 at 2:44 pm