Syracuse Goaltender Makes History in Overtime Loss to Penn State.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – After a scoreless regulation, NCAA history, and 42 shots on goal, No. 9 Penn State prevailed in overtime, securing a 1-0 conference win at the Tennity Ice Pavilion on Friday, Jan. 17.

With an 11-0 conference record, the Nittany Lions remain the only undefeated team in the AHA. They have won 10 of the last 11 meetings against Syracuse.

Syracuse graduate goaltender Allie Kelley made NCAA history after she made her 33rd save of the game. She became the NCAA all-time saves leader with 4,168 career saves, passing RPI alum Lovisa Selander.

Syracuse graduate goaltender Allie Kelley is getting ready for the third period. Photo credit: Rich Rosa

Kelley finished the night with 41 saves, making it the tenth game this season with 40 or more saves. She leads the AHA with 823 saves.

Syracuse head coach Britni Smith said Kelley kept the Orange in the game.

“I thought she was on a different level tonight, and her focus, her ability to make big saves in big moments. I believe the reason we were in overtime was because of Allie Kelley,” Smith said.

Kelley said she wanted to finish her college career at Syracuse.

“I knew from my first conversation when I was in the transfer portal when I talked to [Coach Smith] that I wanted to come here. I just like playing behind this team that values each other so much,” Kelley said.

Smith said the coaching staff did their homework during the recruiting process.

“She checked the boxes on everything; past coaches had nothing but great things to say about her, you know, really talking about how she could really help change a program,” Smith said.

Penn State junior forward Katelyn Roberts scored her seventh goal of the year with 1:52 remaining in overtime on an assist by junior defenseman Kendall Butze.

Both Syracuse and Penn State won 23 faceoffs. Photo credit: Rich Rosa

The Nittany Lions outshot the Orange 42-18. The Orange had 18 blocked shots and won 23 faceoffs. Graduate forward Tatum White won 11 of 20 faceoffs for Syracuse.

The Orange struggled on the power play, failing to score during six power-play opportunities. Penn State was 0 for 2 on the power play.

Syracuse and Penn State square off for the final time on Saturday, Jan. 18, with puck drop at 3 p.m. at the Tennity Ice Pavilion. The Nittany Lions look to sweep the weekend and the season series.