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Bryn Saarela earned Atlantic Hockey America Forward of the Month honors for her performance in December, the conference announced Friday. Although the Orange had only two games on their schedule against Robert Morris in the month, the Denver, Colorado, product combined for seven points (five goals, two assists) across both contests.

In Syracuse’s 4-1 victory on Dec. 6, Saarela’s fingerprints were on each of the Orange’s goals. Following an assist on Tatum White’s opening tally, she scored three unanswered goals for her first career hat trick. In SU’s 4-1 win on Dec. 7, Saarela recorded another assist and guided Syracuse’s special teams by scoring on a power play and while shorthanded. Saarela was also named the AHA Forward of the Week for her efforts in the two games.

Additionally, the graduate student finished December with a plus-five overall rating and six blocks. Propelled by her productive finish to 2024, Saarela currently leads the Orange in scoring with 11 goals, which ranks third in the AHA and 18th nationally.