SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse scored the only two goals of the fourth quarter as they held on to defeat Vermont 7-5 Saturday afternoon in non-conference action from the JMA Dome Vermont falls to 0-1 after the season-opening defeat while Syracuse starts the campaign 1-0.
 
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COACH'S QUOTE
 
"Credit to Syracuse for a great win today," head coach Chris Feifs said. "I thought they fought hard to the last whistle and executed when it counted. We left some plays on the field there today but it's a good opportunity to grow from and learn. We talked to the guys at half and we felt like we were in a great position down by three goals to Syracuse in the Dome. We felt like there was a lot of meat on the bone that if we just stuck to our game plan and calmed down a little bit that the opportunities were there. The guys came out level headed in the third and it started with that one goal off the pick and from there it just kind of snowballed a little bit for us. Syracuse made great adjustments in the fourth quarter and answered on their side."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Making his first career start Matt Shaffer made three saves in the opening quarter as Vermont became the first team to hold Syracuse scoreless in the first quarter at the Dome since February 20, 2022.
• Transfer Derek Marsilio scored Vermont's first goal of the season with 5:53 to play in the first quarter. Marislio beat his defender and slotted home a crease dive to make it 1-0 after the opening 15 minutes.
• Syracuse scored three times in the first 3:55 of the second quarter. The Orange rode that momentum to a 4-1 halftime lead.
• David Closterman opened his account for the season 36 seconds into the second half to end the 'Cuse run. Closterman ripped a shot stick-side high just under the bar for Vermont.
• With 6:33 to play in the third quarter Jonas Hunter's first of the season cut the Orange lead down to one. Dodging from X Hunter cut to the net front and fired a low shot past Syracuse's Will Mark.
• 50 seconds later Closterman and Hunter connected with each other to tie things up. A cutting Closterman found Hunter wide open in front for an easy finish.
• Brock Haley gave Vermont its first lead since the early second with a slow bouncer from 15 yards out with 4:43 to play in the third frame. The Catamount scored three times in 1:50 to regain control of the contest.
• Syracuse first year Joey Spallina tied things up at five with 36 seconds left in the third quarter ending Vermont's 4-0 run.
• Jackson Birstwistle scored the game-winner for the Orange 1:19 into the final frame and Owen Hiltz added an insurance marker with 7:14 to play.
• Mark made three saves in the final frame to preserve the win for the Orange.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Today's 7-5 decision snapped a nine-game winning streak for the Catamounts against teams from the Empire State.
• Tommy Burke went 9-for-16 (56.3%) at the faceoff X. He took all of the draws today but 16 is the fewest he's had in a single game since his first year season against Merrimack on February 29, 2020 when he went 7-for-12.
• David Closterman has scored in 12 of his last 13 games dating back to last season. Over that stretch he has scored 22 times.
• Matt Shaffer made a career-high 16 saves in his first collegiate start.

WHO'S NEXT
Vermont gets back to work next weekend with its home opener against #14 Boston University on Saturday, Feb. 11. Opening faceoff against the Terriers is set for 12 p.m. at Virtue Field. The action will be broadcast live on AmericaEast.TV.