Three second-period goals catapulted Syracuse (7-9-1, 4-1-1 College Hockey America) to a 5-2 win over No. 9 North Dakota (9-5-2, 6-4-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association), the Orange’s first victory against a ranked opponent this season.

North Dakota’s Becca Kohler scored her first goal of the game midway through the first period, giving the Fighting Hawks a 1-0 lead at the first intermission.

The Orange dominated the second period as Syracuse scored three goals. Jessica Sibley scored her fifth goal of the season just 49 seconds in. Emily Costales scored a power-play goal with just more than eight minutes left in the period and, two minutes later, Heather Schwarz scored SU’s third goal of the day.

Kohler scored again, beating SU goalie Abbey Miller with a power-play goal just four minutes into the final period.

But Nicole Ferrara killed any momentum for the Fighting Hawks, scoring with just more than four minutes left in regulation. Costales scored an empty-net goal with two minutes remaining, sealing Syracuse’s seventh victory of the season.

Miller finished with 13 saves in her first start for Syracuse.

The Orange hosts conference opponent Penn State on Friday and Saturday next week at Tennity Ice Pavilion.