RUTLAND, Vt. – Two second period goals proved to be the difference as the Castleton University women's ice hockey team came up short versus nationally-ranked Middlebury, 2-0, on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Arena.

The loss drops Castleton to 3-7-0 overall on the season, while No. 6 Middlebury improves to 5-2-0 following the win.

Freshman Alexis Kalm stood tall between the pipes for Castleton with 33 saves on the afternoon, but two shots found the back of the net as she falls to 1-3-0 on the season. Middlebury's Carly Watson netted her third goal of the season in what proved to be the game-winner midway through the second period, before Kelly Sherman scored an insurance goal just over ten minutes later to complete the scoring. Watson finished the day with a goal and an assist, while Anna Zumwinkle and Winslow also tallied assists in the game.

The Spartans had a handful of chances of their own, highlighted by a breakaway opportunity for Hannah Rose late in the first period. Junior goaltender Julia Neuberger was all over it though, forcing a backhand shot right into her bread basket. Neuberger was strong all afternoon in net for the Panthers, finishing with 16 saves for her first shutout of the season.

Middlebury controlled the majority of the first period, outshooting Castleton 9-3. Neither goaltender gave in, however, as the game remained scoreless after the first 20 minutes. Still scoreless nearly midway through the second period, the Panthers finally found an answer on Kalm with a goal from Watson at the 9:19 mark of the middle frame. Zumwinkle took the puck from behind the net, and searching for an open target she found Watson at the blue line, who hammered a slap shot that snuck through a scrum in front of the net and swept past the screened Kalm for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

As Castleton began searching for the equalizer playing more aggressive hockey, a late penalty led to the second goal for the Panthers with less than one minute left in the period. Watson was involved in the attack again for Middlebury, taking another slap shot from the point. This time, Sherman re-directed the shot in front of the net and lifted it top shelf over the left shoulder of Kalm to double the Panthers' lead heading into the final frame.

Castleton battled tough in third period with more control and possession. Aimee Briand had a great chance early in the third as she sped down the boards and ripped a top-shelf wrist shot from the near circle that just skipped wide of the far corner of the net. Later in the period, Felicia Bjalvegard connected on a slap shot from the point that hammered off the iron. Despite three power-play chances in the period, the Spartans were held off the board as strong defense from the Panthers down the stretch secured their  2-0 victory.

Briand led the team with four shots on goal, while freshman Nicolle Trivino, Hannah Rose, Jocelyn Forrest, and Hannah Wright combined for ten of the team's 16 shots. Maeghan Vasile and Sabrina Hosner also contributed with strong shots down the stretch.

Middlebury won the shots battle, 35-16, and also held a slight edge in face-offs, 27-23. Castleton finished 0-for-5 on power-play opportunities, while the Panthers converted one of three woman-advantage opportunities.

Castleton will return to action on Jan. 7, when it kicks off the Rutland Herald Invitational with a home matchup versus the Gulls of Endicott College.