SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. – Despite a spark late in the game on a strong-handed Corbin Marcotte goal, the Spartans were unable to overcome their scoring deficit as they fell 3-2 to the Purple Knights of St. Michaels College in New England Hockey Conference action at Cairns Arena.

Castleton held the edge in almost every offensive category, outshooting the Purple Knights 44-12 while also winning 40 of the 73 face-offs. However, the Spartans failed to take advantage, as they suffered their third straight loss of the year to drop to 0-5-1 overall and 0-4-1 in the conference. St. Michael's, meanwhile, snapped its five-game losing streak to capture its first win of the season.

Marcotte and Derek Gingera were the lone scorers for the Spartans, while Patrick Thornton and Charles Bando each had an assist. Ryan Mulder and Brody Wagner shared time in net with a joint nine saves. Shawn Morrow led the St. Michael's attack with one goal and one assist, while Eric Salzillo and Colin Biebel added two assists apiece.

Following a scoreless opening frame, the Spartans struck first in the second period when Gingera netted his first goal of the season, assisted by Thornton and Bando. St. Michael's answered shortly after when Kevin Altidor sent one past the keeper on a pass from Morrow to even the score.

They struck again just over 12 minutes into the frame when Anthony Maiuri took a pass from Biebel and gave the Purple Knights their first lead of the contest, 2-1. St. Michael's wasn't done yet, however, as Morrow netted a power play goal to increase the lead to 3-1 at the close of the second.

With just five seconds left in regulation, the Spartans pulled their goalie and found the back of the net, as Marcotte scored his first goal of the season to cut the squad's deficit to just one.

Castleton won the final faceoff but were unable to convert in the remaining five seconds of play, falling 3-2. The Spartans return to the ice tomorrow as they head to Northfield, Vt. to take on No. 4 Norwich at 4 pm in Kreitzberg Arena.