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When scanning through Syracuse’s 2024-25 season statistics, it’s hard to overlook the amount of times Syracuse has found itself significantly outshot by the opposition. Goaltender Allie Kelley has been peppered with 40-plus shots on target in 12 games this campaign. Of those games, SU managed to come out on top in just three.

The frequent strafing of her net has allowed Kelley to take sole possession of both the NCAA all-time career save record and the record for most saves by an SU goalie.

During one of the most high-profile games of her six-year collegiate career, Kelley’s resolve in net was tested yet again Friday against Mercyhurst.

She was up to the moment, recording a 47-save shutout to propel No. 3-seed Syracuse (15-21-0, 11-9-0 Atlantic Hockey America) to a narrow 1-0 win over No. 2-seed Mercyhurst (18-15-2, 13-6-1 AHA) in game one of the AHA Semifinals. The total marked her second-most stops in a contest this season behind only her 54 against then-No. 4 Minnesota Duluth on Jan. 3.

Throughout its 2024-25 schedule, Syracuse has struggled to find consistency offensively and while on the power play. Regardless, one aspect of its game that has become a fixture in the locker room has been its willingness to block shots. Led by Jessica Cheung’s 72 total blocks, Syracuse’s players have combined to cut off 15-plus shot attempts in 17-of-35 games this season.

But during the first two periods against the Lakers, Kelley was forced to fend for herself. When one shot came her way, usually two or three more would quickly follow as Syracuse’s defense struggled to clear the puck amid the Lakers’ aggressive forecheck.

In the face of what seemed like endless in-close shot attempts from Vanessa Upson, Megan McKay and Kylee Mahoney, Kelley stood tall. By the end of the period, she logged 15 stops, while Mercyhurst’s Jorden Mattison had only been challenged twice at that point.

Fortunately for the Orange, two shots on goal were all they needed to jump ahead 1-0 by the intermission.

In the second period, Syracuse’s offense finally started to open up and was outshot by only seven. While these brief offensive possessions by the Orange gave Kelley more time to breathe between high-danger chances, she never had to wait long for another puck to come her way.

When faced with a potent offense, SU head coach Britni Smith often implores her team to aim for eight or more blocks per period. After falling short of that goal in the opening period, SU again failed to repel many shots on goal from the Lakers in the second. Despite only having the assistance of four blocked shots, Kelley still remained composed in goal.

Faced with a mix of long-distance and point-blank efforts, the veteran remained flawless through two periods and added 14 saves to her total.

When the Lakers earned their first power play in the dying minutes of the period — a unit that ranked 20th best in the nation entering Friday — the Orange finally backed up their goalie. Through timely blocks and zone clearances, SU held Mercyhurst’s skilled player-advantage group shotless to close the period.

Now just 20 minutes away from a pivotal victory to open the AHA Semifinals, SU continued to lean on its veteran goaltender up until the final buzzer. As its offense became a shell of itself once again to start the third period, it became clear that if SU was going to escape with a win, it’d have to be on the back of Kelley.

Desperation fully set in for the Lakers as they searched for a leveler in the final 10 minutes. With just over six minutes remaining, Jade Maisonneuve collected the puck behind the net as Rylee McLeod bore down on her along the boards. Glancing over her left shoulder, she passed the puck behind her into the slot, where Regina Metzler was waiting in front of the goal.

With Charli Kettyle in front of her, Metzler released a howitzer that seemed destined for the back of the net. But right on cue, Kelley snatched the shot with her glove to deny the chance.

In a last-ditch effort to draw even, the Lakers looked to double-shift their top line by giving them a timeout to catch their breath between shifts. But even with their top scorers on the ice for the final 1:30 of regulation, it still wasn’t enough.

With some overdue help from her defenders, Kelley made one last low glove to slam the door on the Lakers in the final seconds, pushing Syracuse one step closer to its next AHA title.

Published on February 28, 2025 at 7:38 pm

Contact Matthew: mgray06@syr.edu | @ma77hew_gray