Rutland, Vt. – Castleton took a third-period lead but couldn't hold on as Holy Cross scored twice in the final 12 minutes to finish with the 4-3 come-from-behind victory in the Rutland Herald Invitational Championship on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Arena.

The Crusaders scored the equalizer at 9:11 and added the game-winner six minutes later to improve to 9-4-1 on the season. Holy Cross goalie Krista Manzanares was named Tournament MVP after making 25 saves on Saturday and shutting out a tough Sacred Heart team on Friday.

Caroline English, Rebecca Fleming and Francesca Panarelli were also named to the All-Tournament team for the Crusaders. Senior Dani Roberts and goalie Paula Stephens were named for Castleton. The Spartans drop to 7-5-1 with the loss.

It was a back-and-forth first period, with Holy Cross striking first. The Crusaders' Rebecca Fleming ripped a shot from just inside the blue line and Caroline English, positioned in front of the net, and deflected it past Stephens with just 2:22 left in the period.

Castleton captured the ensuing faceoff and Rachel Bombardier took the puck down the right side of the ice. She continued into the Holy Cross zone and wristed a shot from just inside the right circle over the shoulder of Krista Manzanares to even the score 1-1.

The Crusaders took back the lead just 2:01 into the second period. Jessica Frascotti fired a shot from the right point and Kathryn Reilly redirected it past Stephens for the 2-1 advantage.

The Spartans responded at 13:38 in the second period to draw even once again. Samantha Pion stopped the puck from going out of blue line, skated in and ripped  a slap shot from the left point over the shoulder of Manzanares into the far corner of the net. 

Holy Cross came out the aggressor in the third but the Spartans weathered their initial storm and struck with at the 8:09 mark. Jade Werger received the puck at mid-ice, made a quick move around one defender at the blue line, skated in and lifted a wrist shot just over the left leg pad of Manzanares to take a 3-2 lead. 

Just a minute later the Crusader attack connected on the equalizer. Following a shot by Kati Goguen, Rebecca O'Quinn was right in front to pump in the rebound.

With just over five minutes left Holy Cross netted the game-winner as Nicole Giannino swept in after shot bounced off Stephens and put in the rebound around the outstretched leg of Stephens.

The Spartans were able to put a couple shots on net in the final minute but couldn't get the puck past Manzanares.

Stephens finished the game with 34 saves for the Spartans, and was named to the All-Tournament Team along with teammate Dani Roberts.

The Spartans return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 15 when they travel to New England College to take on the Pilgrims.

All-Tournament Team

Paula Stephens - Castleton, G
Dani Roberts - Castleton, D
Francesca Panarelli - Holy Cross, D
Caroline English - Holy Cross, F
Rebecca Fleming - Holy Cross, F
Anne Gomolinski - Sacred Heart, F

Tournament MVP

Krista Manzanares - Holy Cross, G