Rutland, Vt. - The Castleton women's hockey team fell to No. 7 Manhattanville 2-0 in an ECAC East bout at Spartan Arena on Friday evening.

The Spartans were able to generate chances, but couldn't beat the Valiants' Mary Evans, who registered 31 saves and earned her second shutout of the season. With the loss, Castleton falls to 8-9-3 on the year, 5-5-3 in the conference. 

The Spartans fell behind early, allowing a goal in the first period. Mary Rose Morrison attacked the right side with the puck and fired on goal. Paula Stephens was able to stave off the attempt, but the puck trickled away from her as she lunged to freeze it. Michele Meggiolaro was in front to clean up the scrum, flicking the puck into the back of the net to put the Valiants up 1-0.

In the second period, the Valiants struck again. Freshman Chelsea Boucher scored her first career goal. Boucher brought the puck down the right side of the ice on a 2-on-1 break. She waited for the Spartan defender to commit, and then rifled the puck top shelf over the glove of Stephens and into the net to put Manhattanville up 2-0.

The Spartans best chance to score came in the third period with 2:15 remaining. Hanna Martini ripped a shot from the high slot that was saved by Valiants goalkeeper Mary Evans. The rebound scooted away from Evans and onto the stick of Nicoline Jensen. The freshman deked left past the lunging goaltender and slipped the puck towards the net. The puck got around Evans, but missed just wide, hitting the outside of the goal frame.

Stephens made 31 saves in the loss, doing her best to keep the Spartans within striking distance, but it wasn't enough. 

Castleton will take to the ice tomorrow afternoon when they face another ECAC East opponent, Nichols. The puck drops at 12 p.m. at Spartan Arena.