Syracuse vs. Springfield AAU National Tournament Overview

On Thursday, March 6, at 8:00am, Syracuse will take on Springfield in an exciting matchup at the AAU National Tournament in Jacksonville, Florida. The game will be held at the Community First Igloo, setting the stage for an intense contest between two strong teams.

Team Overview:

Syracuse enters the game with an impressive record of 16-0-0, dominating the Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League (UNYCHL) Women's Division with a perfect 32-point tally. The Orange have shown themselves as an unstoppable force this season, outscoring opponents and winning with consistent confidence.

In contrast, Springfield has posted a record of 7-6-0, with 15 points, placing them 4th in the UNYCHL Women's Division.

Head-to-Head:

The two teams have faced off three times this season, with Syracuse emerging victorious in all three encounters. On November 9, Syracuse claimed a dominant 6-1 win. In a February 2 matchup, the Orange won 4-2, and most recently, in the Division Championship on February 22, Syracuse once again dominated with a 6-1 victory.

Key Players to Watch:

For Syracuse, a trio of standout players will be key to continuing their dominance:

Neve Padulo: With 15 goals and 14 assists in 14 games, Padulo has been a consistent offensive threat.
Leah Landry: Leading the team with 16 goals and 13 assists in 15 games, Landry is an essential part of Syracuse's success.
Ivy Dietrich: With 15 goals and 10 assists in 15 games, Dietrich brings skill and consistency on both ends of the ice.

Springfield’s hopes will likely rest on the shoulders of a few talented players who have shown strong performances this season:

Bailey McDevitt: Leading Springfield with 16 goals and 3 assists in 13 games, McDevitt is their primary offensive weapon.
Mia Alfonso: With 8 goals and 7 assists in 12 games, Alfonso adds solid depth to Springfield's offense.
Ashley Welch: With 4 goals and 10 assists in 12 games, Welch is another key contributor for Springfield.

Goaltending Information:

The goaltending matchup will also be crucial, with both teams boasting solid netminders.

Syracuse’s Emma Lacz has been outstanding this season, maintaining a 1.08 GAA and a .920 save percentage across 9 wins and no losses. She has allowed just 9 goals on 113 shots.
Harper Keenan, also for Syracuse, has been equally impressive with a 1.29 GAA, a .926 save percentage, and a perfect 7-0 record, allowing just 9 goals on 121 shots.

Springfield’s Kathryn Gilbert has faced a tougher season, with a 3.62 GAA and a .868 save percentage. Despite her solid 6-6 record, Gilbert has been under heavy fire, making 295 saves but allowing 39 goals.