RUTLAND, Vt. – The Castleton University women's ice hockey team could not overcome an early three-goal deficit and ultimately fell to the Hawks of Saint Anselm tonight by a final score of 4-0 at Spartan Arena.

The loss drops Castleton to 2-4-0 overall and 2-3-0 in NEHC action, while Saint Anselm improves to 5-1-0, 4-1-0.

Alison Butler sparked a three-goal first period for the Hawks with an early goal just 4:04 into the contest. Victoria Shea started the play by controlling the puck deep in the Spartans zone, drawing the Castleton defender towards her. Shea then delivered a perfect pass to Butler at the far post, who put the one-timer behind Rachael Brazil for the early lead that proved to all the Hawks needed.

Jackie Guy added a power-play goal for the visitors just over three minutes later with a slap shot from the point that found its way through a wholesale of players in front of the net and snuck past Brazil at the 7:35 mark. Alex Starzyk followed with her team-leading fourth goal of the season at the midway point of the opening frame to give the Hawks a commanding 3-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

Rylie Wills finished up the final 40 minutes between the pipes for Castleton, making 23 saves over the final two periods. Despite three power-play opportunities in the closing stanza, Castleton was unable to find the back of the net as Saint Anselm added a late power-play goal to finish off the scoring at 4-0.

Brazil takes the loss in net for Castleton, making 15 saves in the first period. Wills finished off the contest with 23 saves, while Hannah Rose led Castleton on offense with four shots on net.

Saint Anselm controlled possession all night, outshooting the Spartans 42-7. The Hawks finished 2-for-7 on the power-play, while holding the Spartans off the board in four chances. The Spartans held a slight advantange in faceoffs, 23-21. 

Castleton returns to action on Saturday afternoon for a rematch of last season's NEHC semifinal game with UMass-Boston. The game time is slated for 1 p.m. at Spartan Arena.