RUTLAND, Vt. - The Castleton Spartans beat the Southern Maine Huskies 3-0 Friday afternoon at Spartan Arena.  The Spartans started the game off hot, scoring their first two goals in just eight minutes of play.  With solid defense and stellar play from goalie Paula Stephens (Seattle, Wash.), Castleton was able to shut out the Huskies.

The win is the eighth of the year for the Spartans (8-12-1) and represents the most wins in the program's history.  Their seven ECAC East victories is also a school record as they improve to 7-7-1 in the ECAC East. Southern Maine drops to 6-12-4 overall and 6-7-2 in conference play.

Castleton's Jessica Spidle (Smithtown, N.Y.) led the Spartans with two points, one coming off a goal and the other an assist. Jade Werger (Maple Ridge, B.C.) added to her team-leading goal total, scoring her 12th of the season.

The Spartans put the pressure on early when Spidle ripped a low line drive shot from deep that was rebounded for the score by Stephanie Bardell (Erwinna, Pa.) 2:52 into the first period.  Shortly after that Nicole Ruman (Riverside, Calif.) shot a back hander directly in front of net and the puck was rebounded by Spidle who took an immediate shot thereafter for the Spartans second goal 8:01 into the first period.

Southern Maine's Julia Pearl (Essex Jct., VT.) got free on a break away with 10:08 remaining in the second period and showed some nice moves but it was not enough to get the puck by Stephens.  

Werger got her team-leading 12th goal of the season with 12:42 remaining in the second period and the Spartan defense held off the Huskies from that point on.

Stephens made 25 saves in net for her second straight shutout and has now gone over two games without allowing a goal. Nikki Lauiere (Milton, Vt.) got the start and made 11 saves before being pulled for Liz Bergstrom (Chanhassen, Minn.). Bergstrom finished with 12 saves in net.

Castleton returns to the ice when the team takes on Plymouth State, Saturday at 12:00 PM at Spartan Arena.