Rutland, Vt. - The Spartans women's hockey team got off to a fast start, scoring four goals in the first period, and held on to defeat St. Michael's 4-1 on Friday night at Spartan Arena.

Adorned in their special collector's edition pink uniforms, the Spartans celebrated the fourth annual Pink the Rink event, teaming with Rutland Regional Medical Center and the Foley Cancer Center to raise money in the battle against breast cancer.

The Spartans got on the board early and often, beginning their scoring tear just 1:48 into the game when Jessica Spidle beat St. Michael's goalkeeper Erin Stevens to put Castleton on the board. Dani Roberts and Samantha McNeill earned assists on the play.

With just under five minutes gone in the first frame, Molly Howard scored her fourth goal in six games. Off a Spartan faceoff win, Samantha Pion found Jade Werger in the high slot who turned and fired a shot toward the Purple Knights' net. The puck ricocheted off of Howard and past Stevens to extend the Castleton lead to 2-0.

At the 12:16 mark, the Spartans struck again. Anna Daniels carried the puck behind the net, circling the St. Michael's zone. With the defenders focused on Daniels, Nicoline Jensen found herself open the slot. Daniels slipped her the puck, and Jensen one-timed it into the back of the net, giving the Spartans a three-goal cushion.

Castleton finished the period strong, scoring again with just 44 seconds remaining in the frame. Eileen Coyne slid the puck along the blue line to her defensive linemate Roberts. The senior captain ripped a slapshot that caught Stevens by surprise, slipping through the five-hole and trickling into the net. The four-goal first period was the Spartans largest scoring outburst in one period this season.

The Purple Knights were able to get on the board after the Spartans were whistled for a checking penalty. With a man-advantage, St. Michael's forward Melissa Hallisey ripped a shot from the point that Spartans goaltender Paula Stephens was able to deflect, but the rebound squirted away. Melissa Coughlin was in front to clean up the play, flipping the puck over the sprawling Stephens to cut the deficit to 4-1.

In the third period, neither team found the net, as the Spartans coasted to their first win in six games. Paula Stephens made 11 saves for Castleton and earned her seventh win of the year, while Erin Stevens turned away 43 shots for the Purple Knights, but took the loss.

Castleton improves to 8-7-3 on the season, and moves to 5-4-3 in ECAC East play. On Saturday, the squad will take on cross-state rival Norwich. The Cadets are currently ranked No. 4 in the nation, and have never lost to the Spartans.