Drabyk outduels Secreto as Syracuse defeats Lindenwood

Ava Drabyk, take a bow. Syracuse women’s ice hockey’s freshman star turned in another stellar 60 minutes on Friday, saving 29 of the 30 shots she faced in the team’s 2-1 win over Lindenwood. 

Ava Drabyk did not have to make a save until just over ten minutes into the game, but she was called into action regularly over the remaining 50 minutes.

As Drabyk and Lindenwood goalie Lexington Secreto traded saves, it felt like neither team would find the key to beating the opposing goalie. But just before the conclusion of the second period, a slashing penalty by Lucie Quarto sent the Orange to the power play for the second time. 

The advantage carried over to the third period. Junior forward Nea Tervonen was open near the right circle but was handcuffed by a pass. Syracuse kept knocking on the door, and Tervonen kept finding vacant ice.

This time, senior Maya D’Arcy’s pass was perfect. In one motion, Tervonen corralled the puck, squared and released a shot past Secreto to break the deadlock. 

Photo by Sofia Turci-Lopresti

Syracuse defender Maya D’Arcy receives the puck against Lindenwood University on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Tennity Ice Pavilion.

Later in the period, freshman forward Jordan Blouin would score from the left circle just after the conclusion of a separate power play. The goal doubled Syracuse’s advantage. 

“(Jordan) didn’t have an opportunity on the previous power play,” head coach Britni Smith said. “It just shows maturity for her to just take the opportunity when it comes… just really happy (with) her response.”

As Lindenwood attempted a dramatic comeback, Syracuse quickly found itself on the back foot. The Lions attacked with a newfound sense of urgency.

But with Drabyk between the pipes, every attempt at the net was fruitless. If the puck wasn’t met by the leg or stick of a Syracuse defender, the freshman smothered it with her glove. 

With just over four minutes to play, junior Jocelyn Fiala fumbled a pass in front of her own net. Lindenwood’s Paige Cline had a clean, point blank look at the cage. Drabyk made it look easy, steering the puck away to the corner. 

Two minutes later, Cline spoiled Drabyk’s shutout bid. She was left alone in front of the net, and Drabyk couldn’t produce another magical moment. The puck spun under her pads and settled in the Syracuse goal. 

Over the remaining two minutes, a crush of white and black jerseys crowded the Orange zone. The puck flew from east to west as the Lions desperately tried to equalize. Whenever Lindenwood geared up to shoot at Drabyk, a white jersey dove to redirect its path. Cheers would erupt from the bench whenever a defender was successful.

Photo by Sofia Turci-Lopresti

Syracuse defender Charlotte Hallett works the puck down the ice in the first quarter against Lindenwood University on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Tennity Ice Pavilion.

“It’s a huge burst of energy at that point,” Tervonen said. “Someone getting in the way and not letting the puck through feels really good and gives us a lot of energy.”

The Orange survived the final onslaught to earn the win. Syracuse now sits seven points clear of Lindenwood in the AHA standings as it looks to secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.