Gorham, Maine – Paula Stephens made 27 saves, including four crucial stops in the extra frame, and Rachel Bombardier scored the Spartans lone goal to earn a 1-1 tie at Southern Maine in an ECAC East battle. 

The Spartans were outshot by Southern Maine 28-23, but were able to equal their opponents in goals. Castleton moves to 9-9-4, 6-5-4 in the ECAC East while Southern Maine is now 5-11-6, 4-7-4 in the conference.

The Huskies got on the board first, when Julia Pearl beat Stephens in the middle of the first period. Pearl got a piece of a shot taken by Alex Smith from the point and changed the trajection of the puck, causing it to squeak past Stephens for the goal.

In the second period, with her team trailing 1-0, freshman Rachel Bombardier stepped up in a big moment. Sophomore BriAnna Narodowy found Bombardier in the slot during a Spartans power play, and slipped it home past Huskies goaltender Liz Bergstrom. The goal tied the score with 1:17 left in the period.

The third period played through to a scoreless tie. The Spartans were able to kill off two separate third period power plays, and outshot the Huskies 8-5 in the frame, but couldn't notch the winner.

In overtime, Stephens was forced to make four saves and the Castleton offense was unable to tally a shot on goal. The defense and goaltending of the Spartans was able to weather the storm and preserve the 1-1 tie.

Castleton will travel to Plymouth St. on Tuesday in a game that was postponed from Saturday. Game time is at 7 p.m.