Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Senior defender Erica Owczarczak  tallied two goals to help the Niagara women’s hockey team (10-14-8; 3-5-3 CHA) to a 3-2 overtime victory over the Syracuse Orange (9-21-3; 0-8-3 CHA) Friday afternoon at Dwyer Arena. 

Owczarczak scored the game-winning goal on the powerplay with 3:23 remaining on the clock in extra time to extend the Purple Eagles unbeaten streak to two games.  Senior defender Jocey Kleiber found Owczarczak just inside the blue line who lifted a fluttering slapshot on net that beat Orange goalie Kallie Billadeau stick side for her fifth goal of the year. 

Today's win helped the Purple Eagles secure third-place in the CHA standings.  Niagara will take on the Robert Morris Colonials in the semifinals of the 2012 CHA Tournament in Moon Township, Pa. 

"I thought overall we played pretty well and we had some good shifts," head coach Josh Sciba said.  "We did a lot of good things offensively.  Even our fourth line of Dal Colle, Dodds and Wilkerson had a fantastic game.  They really generated some energy.  We just need to sharpen up defensively.  I think our team is pretty creative on the offensive side so if we can be better defensively, stay out of the penalty box, I think we'll be better off headed towards the playoffs."

Both teams traded goals in the first forty minutes of play, going into the second stanza locked at two apiece.  Sophomore forward Kaleigh Chippy began the scoring midway through the opening period while on the powerplay.  The initial shot by sophomore Kristin Richards was saved by Billadeau, but Chippy pounced on the rebound for her seventh goal of the year. 
 
Syracuse responded less than two minutes later off the stick of junior forward Holly Carrie-Mattimoe.  Freshman defender Kallie Goodnough passed the puck to Carrie-Mattimoe before the junior ripped one over the shoulder of Niagara netminder Sarah Moses.    
 
Owczarczak grabbed her first goal of the game 12:53 into the second frame, giving the Purple Eagles their second lead off an assist from freshman Amy Helfrich.  The Orange pulled even at the 2:47 mark when Scharfe found the back of the net on a shorthanded opportunity, eventually sending the game into overtime. 
 
Niagara finish the 2012 regular season against Syracuse tomorrow at Dwyer during Senior Day.  The puck is set to drop at 2 p.m.