RUTLAND, Vt. - Junior Jade Werger (Maple Ridge, B.C.) scored the eventual game-winner midway through the third period and the Spartans held on for the 2-1 victory over Plymouth St. on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Arena.

Werger's goal was her team-leading seventh of the season as the Castleton improved to 6-5 with the win. The six victories match the team's highest win total over the past six seasons. The Panthers, meanwhile, drop to 0-7-3 on the season with the loss.

The Spartans controlled play for much of the first period, outshooting host Plymouth by a 13-4 margin. Castleton's best opportunity came with six minutes remaining, as Megan Hulbert (Barre, Vt.) got the puck in front with the goalie out of position and wristed a shot that was blocked by a defender in the crease.

Castleton finally broke through at the 14:04 mark of the second period. In the Spartans' offensive zone, Hulbert got control of the puck in the right circle and passed out to Samantha McNeil (Garland, Texas) at the right point. The freshman fired a slap shot that found its way through the defense and into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

The Panthers evened the game up just 2:30 into the third period on a goal by Bri Davis (Framingham, Mass.). Davis collected a rebound right in front of the net and put it home before freshman goalie Paula Stephens (Seattle, Wash.) could react. Carrie Baruch (Coventry, R.I.) was credited with the assist on the play.

Castleton responded at the 10:40 mark as Hannah Martini (Fayston, Vt.) dug the puck off the boards and found Werger in front, where she wristed a shot between Nicole Provencher's (Guilford, Conn.) pads for the go-ahead score.

Stephens was solid in her first collegiate start, making 22 saves and denying multiple rebound opportunities. Provencher also played well and finished with 25 saves for Plymouth St.

The Spartans return to the ice on Tuesday, Jan. 10 when they host Potsdam at 4 p.m.