Anna Leschyshyn drifted into the RPI zone, her stick raised seeking a shot. Defender Jessica DiGirolamo took the puck behind the net and every Engineer skater turned toward her.

It was Feb. 1, and the Orange were in the opening period of a 5-1 win against RPI. DiGirolamo sent a saucer pass into the slot and, without hesitation, Leschyshyn one-timed the puck into the Engineer’s net — lifting Syracuse to an early lead.

It was the latest rookie contribution for the Orange, Leschyshyn’s sixth goal of the season — a total that’s tied for second among freshmen in College Hockey America. The transition from youth to college hockey often comes with a faster pace and stronger players, Leschyshyn said, but this group of SU freshmen have accounted for 21.8% of the team’s points over 26 games. As Syracuse (9-16-1, 7-4-1 CHA) enters its final eight games of the year, contributions from all four freshmen — forwards Madison Beishuizen, Brynn Koocher, Leschyshyn and defender Mae Batherson — will boost the Orange as they search for a second-straight conference title.

“With our roster size, we expect our freshmen to come in and contribute,” head coach Paul Flanagan said.

Batherson is fifth on Syracuse in points scored and leads CHA freshman scoring among defenders. The only freshman on Syracuse’s blue line, she’s already playing on the second defensive pairing. She’s on the power-play and penalty-kill units, too, and has scored 15 points, including 12 assists.

Batherson’s first of two CHA Rookie of the Week honors came at the start of conference play in November. In a two-game series against RIT, she had a goal and an assist in the opener and a power-play goal the next day.

Then, Batherson dished a trio of assists in an 8-3 win against Mercyhurst for her second-highest point total in a single game. After following that up with a goal the next game, she earned her second rookie of the week honors for the four-point weekend.

“Took a bit to adjust to the strength and speed of the game at first, but feeling more comfortable and confident as I go through the season,” Batherson said.

The three freshmen forwards have also had varying degrees of success. Leschyshyn is ninth on the team with 12 points, Beishuizen is 12th with nine points and Koocher, despite some injury trouble, is 13th with eight points. They are all top-10 in CHA freshman scoring.

“You never know how much and how often,” Flanagan said, “but I think we’re very pleased that they’ve come in, they’re all contributing in their own way.”

Koocher has missed five games this season because of various reasons, including a wisdom tooth removal. Still, she’s been an integral part of the offense splitting time at second- and third-line center.

The success of the freshmen for Syracuse isn’t an anomaly, though. Just last year, Lauren Bellefontaine was named CHA Rookie of the Year after scoring 20 points in 38 games and Abby Molughney finished tied for second on the team with 22 points. Together they were named to the CHA All-Rookie team and their combined point totals accounted for 19% of the Orange’s offense.

This year, the individual point totals aren’t as notable but collectively, the contributions are still there. Each one-on-one skills session with assistant coach Julie Knerr has helped the four freshmen acclimate, easing Syracuse’s transition from the graduation of last seasons’ top point producers.

“Trying to break the rust a little bit for them when they’re first here,” Knerr said, “but also trying to make them feel like the adjustment process is taking its own path.”

Published on February 4, 2020 at 11:21 pm

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