Rutland, Vt. - Castleton skated hard on Saturday evening, but fell just short of completing a comeback, falling to Holy Cross 3-2 in the championship game of the Rutland Herald Invitational.

After falling into a two-goal hole entering the third period, the Spartans scored a late power play goal to cut the deficit in half, but couldn't convert again as the Crusaders earned the 3-2 victory and their second consecutive Rutland Herald Invitational crown.

The Spartans seemed shell-shocked out of the gates, and fell behind 10-2 in the shot count early in the contest. Holy Cross found the net to take a 1-0 lead nearly midway through the period. Nicole Giannino finished off a pass from Taylor McGee to put the Crusaders ahead. About six minutes later, Castleton responded. Lisa Kilroy slid the puck to Nicoline Jensen breaking out of the Spartans' defensive zone. Jensen passed to Daniels who carried the puck down the left side and ripped a laser to the top corner, beating Alex Stevenson to the high stick-side to draw the game even at 1-1.

In the second period, Holy Cross took advantage of a pair of Castleton mistakes. Nearly five minutes into the contest, Kylee Sullivan notched a power play goal for the Crusaders to gain the lead. Giannino and Rachel Miller earned assists on the play. Just over 10 minutes later, the Crusaders struck on the power play again. This time it was Kati Goguen who finished the play. Entering the second intermission, Castleton trailed 3-1.

In the final frame, the Spartans dug deep and skated hard, outshooting the Crusaders 13-7. Castleton struggled to beat the Crusaders' Stevenson until the 8:33 mark. Brie Narodowy won a faceoff in the offensive zone back to Jensen at the point. Jensen skated towards the center of the ice and laid the puck off to Lisa Kilroy. Kilroy lined up and ripped a slap-shot that found the top corner of the net to cut the Holy Cross lead down to 3-2.

In the waning moments, Castleton did all it could to earn a tying goal. The home team pulled their goalie for an extra attacker with just under two minutes left, and had several chances on the 6-on-5, but couldn't convert.

Stevenson finished with 30 saves for the Crusaders and was selected to the All-Tournament Team after gaining the win. Paula Stephens took the loss despite making 27 saves on the evening.

Two members of the Castleton squad were selected to the All-Tournament Team. Hannah Wright earned a selection with her stellar defensive play as well as an assist against UNE on Friday. Anna Daniels netted three goals and dished out one assist on her way to being honored as well.

Joining Stevenson on the All-Tournament Team was Holy Cross teammate Kylee Sullivan. After racking up two goals and two assists on the weekend, Nicole Giannino was named Tournament MVP. 

The Spartans fall to 8-6-0 on the season and will return to action Tuesday, Jan. 14 when they host New England College in the second leg of ECAC East conference play.

All-Tournament Team 

Anna Daniels - F - Castleton
Kylee Sullivan - F - Holy Cross
Sarah Markey - F - Salve Regina
Melissa Boudreau - D - UNE
Hannah Wright - D - Castleton
Alex Stevenson - G - Holy Cross

Tournament MVP

Nicole Giannino - F - Holy Cross