Manchester N.H. – The Spartans women's ice hockey team fell 1-0 to the St. Anselm Hawks in Manchester on Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Spartans fall to 5-2-1 on the year, and 3-2-1 in the ECAC East. 

Rosemarie Giarrusso scored the lone goal in the second period of the game that proved to be the difference as the Hawks edged the Spartans.

Through one period, the game remained scoreless and shots on goal were even as each team took 11. The Hawks were 0-2 on extra skater opportunities, while the Spartans were 0-1. At the close of the first stanza, Castleton was whistled for a penalty, forcing them to play a man down for the first two minutes of the second period.

At the beginning of the second, prior to puck drop, Castleton was issued a bench minor for protocol that led to a 5-on-3 opportunity for the Hawks. Saint Anselm blasted several shots at net, but Castleton net minder Paula Stephens denied all of their attempts during the advantage.  

The Hawks finally cracked the scoreboard at 7:47 of the second period when Franny Nicholson sent a pass to Giarrusso, who broke free from the pack into a breakaway and deked Stephens as she beat her to the right side.

The third frame featured eight penalties, but no scoring, though Allison Howard and Anna Daniels each ripped five shots in the contest.

Janice Michaud made 24 saves and earned her first shutout of the year for the Hawks. Stephens made 36 stops, falling to 4-2-1 on the year. 

The Spartans will return to action Friday, December 7 at Spartan Arena when they host New England College.