Box Score Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Freshman Melissa Piacentini scored two goals to lead the Syracuse University women's hockey team to a 4-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), this evening in non-conference action from Tennity Ice Pavilion. With the win, the Orange improves to 7-5-1, while the Engineers drop to 2-9-2.

Junior captain Margot Scharfe (Toronto, ON/Branksome Hall) opened the scoring at 11:01 of the first period, when she redirected a feed from senior captain Holly Carrie-Mattimoe (Sherwood Park, AB/Vimy Ridge Academy) past RPI sophomore goaltender Kelly O'Brien (Sussex, WI/Madison Capitals). The goal, which was Scharfe's third of the season, was also assisted by sophomore Nicole Ferrara (Winthrop, MA/The Rivers School).

The hosts made it 2-0 at 8:59 of the second stanza on a shot by freshman Nicole Renault (Plymouth, MI/Little Caesar's U19) that was tipped home by Piacentini (South Weymouth, MA/Assabet Valley U19). Also earing helper on Piacentini's first of the game was sophomore Shiann Darkangelo (Brighton, MI/Brighton High School).

Piacentini put the Orange up 3-0 after taking a pass from junior Cara Johnson (Plymouth, MN/Hopkins High School) and beating O'Brien from close range. The tally was her fourth on the year.

Carrie-Mattimoe capped the scoring with a short-handed empty net goal with 6:36 to play in the third.

27 of O'Brien's 32 saves came in the first two periods. Syracuse junior goaltender Kallie Billadeau (Minnetonka, MN/Hopkins High School) made 14 saves to earn the shutout.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow afternoon for game two of the series. Puck-drop is scheduled for 4pm.