RUTLAND, Vt. - Castleton had multiple opportunities in the final minutes but was unable to score an equalizer as the team fell 2-1 to Potsdam on Tuesday evening at Spartan Arena.

The Spartans gave up a goal midway through the third period and that proved to be the difference, despite outshooting Potsdam 9-6 in the period. Castleton actually totaled more shots in the final two periods, 23-13, after being outshot 18-4 in the first 20 minutes of action. The Bears improve to 5-7-1 with the victory while the Spartans drop to 6-6 on the season.

Potsdam came out strong in the first period and was rewarded in the final minute on a scrum in front of the net. Freshman Paula Stephens (Seattle, Wash.) turned away back-to-back shots before Jen Crawford (Burlington, Ont.) scored on the second rebound with just 47 seconds remaining in the period.

The Spartans were much more aggressive in the second, getting a pair of good shots on net in just the first 20 seconds. They continued to pressure and were finally rewarded 8:23 into the period. Eileen Coyne (North Attleboro, Mass.) fired a shot on net which bounced off the goalie. BriAnna Narodowy (North Smithfield, R.I.) followed with a shot of her own and Jade Werger (Maple Ridge, B.C.) corralled that rebound and backhanded home her eighth goal of the season to tie the score 1-1.

Castleton thought it had the go-ahead goal at the 16:34 mark as the puck squirted through Dawna Salvarinas' (Mississauga, Ont.) legs on a scrum in front of the net and Allison Howard (Brandon, Man.) seemingly pushed over the goal line. However, it was ruled that the net was dislodged before the puck completely crossed the line and the goal was disallowed.

The Bears scored the eventual game-winner with just 8:01 remaining in the contest, as Jessica Silveira (Brampton, Ont.) redirected a Breanna Roy (Orleans, Ont.) slap shot from the right point past Stephens.

Stephens was once again strong in net with a career-best 30 saves, while Salvarinas made 25 stops for the visitors.

The Spartans return to action on Saturday at 3 p.m. when they face off against New England College.