Hawks Stay Hot – Remain Undefeated After a Weekend Sweep in Syracuse
By – Josh Yates
The Crimson Hawks escaped Syracuse with a dramatic 2–1 overtime victory over the Orange on Saturday night. The win was dominated by intense goaltending and a timely finish in overtime.
Both teams came out firing in the first period, and Syracuse broke the scoring open when Cam Chesner buried a shot at 12:52, assisted by Wren and McCormick. The lead didn’t last long, though, as IUP answered less than three minutes later, when Shane Miller found one in his office to find the back of the net at 15:19.
From there, the game turned into a goaltending battle. Syracuse’s AJ Finta and IUP’s Connor Halpert traded big saves throughout the second and third periods, holding both teams scoreless after numerous high-danger saves. Neither team could capitalize on their lone power-play opportunity.
With the score still even after regulation, the Crimson Hawks wasted little time in OT. Just 1:27 into the extra session, Zack Sooy buried the game-winner off an initial shot from Jace Rearic, sealing the 2–1 win for IUP.
Halpert was outstanding between the pipes, turning aside 46 of 47 shots to backstop the victory. Finta was equally sharp for Syracuse, finishing with 27 saves in a strong effort that ultimately came up short.
By the Numbers:
- ● Final Score: IUP 2, Syracuse 1 (OT)
- ● Shots on Goal: Syracuse 47, IUP 29
- ● Power Plays: IUP 0/1, Syracuse 0/1
- ● Penalty Minutes: IUP 2, Syracuse 2
- ● Goaltending: Halpert (IUP) 46 Saves – Finta (SU) 27 SavesAs for the Sunday afternoon matchup, the Crimson Hawks battled through a penalty-filled contest to edge Syracuse University 5–4 on Sunday night, completing a weekend sweep.
IUP was led by Nathan Meola, who scored twice to power the Hawks past a relentless Syracuse attack. Syracuse tested Shane Peremba early and often, stopping 54 shots in his busiest performance of the season to lead IUP’s defense as the Orange outshot the visitors by a wide margin.
Maddox Rearic buried the first goal of the contest at 6:24 on the Powerplay, assisted by Jace Rearic, giving the Crimson Hawks an early 1–0 lead.
Syracuse answered late in the frame when Ben Brant converted on a man advantage with 25 seconds left in the period, tying the game at one heading into intermission.
The second period was packed with offense and penalties on both sides. IUP jumped back ahead when Meola scored at 2:33, finishing off a setup from Jace Rearic. Minutes later, Jake Schmelzer walked down Broadway to add to the cushion, making it 3-1. However, Syracuse clawed its way back with two power-play goals in quick succession coming from Brant and Wren after a five-minute major penalty to IUP’s Chase Malloy for checking from behind.
Syracuse briefly grabbed momentum early in the third when Duffy scored on the power play to give the Orange their first lead of the game. But IUP refused to fold when Meola struck again, converting a feed from Jace Rearic for his second of the night and the eventual game-winner.
By the Numbers:
- ● Final Score: IUP 5, Syracuse 4
- ● Shots on Goal: Syracuse 58, IUP 22
- ● Power Plays: IUP 1/4, Syracuse 4/7
- ● Penalty Minutes: IUP 17, Syracuse 8
- ● Goaltending: Peremba (IUP) 54 saves – Finta (SU) 17 savesLooking Ahead
With the win, IUP improves to 8-0 on the season and looks for their first top 25 ranking of the season. The Crimson Hawks hit the road again to the University at Buffalo to face the Ice Bulls for the first two of four to later meet them again in December.