NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Castleton's comeback fell just short this evening at Kreitzberg Arena, as they lost to the seventh-ranked Norwich Cadets in New England Hockey Conference action, 2-1. 

The Spartans were outshot in the contest 30-15 and converted just one of their five power plays. Taylor Steadman provided the lone score, while Hannah Wright and Sabrina Hosner added one assist apiece. Jess Cameron stopped 28 of the 30 shots that she faced, as the squad fell to 15-7-2 overall and 10-5-1 in the conference. 

Maki Shuchuk and Bryn Labbe led the Norwich attack with one goal apiece, while Celeste Robert produced 14 saves to help the squad pick up its ninth straight win. The Cadets now stand at 18-6 (15-1 NEHC) on the year and are on pace to clinch their sixth straight regular season title with a win versus Holy Cross tomorrow. 

Following a scoreless opening period of play, Norwich took the lead just 3:26 into the second after Shuchuk found the back of the net. Muranda Toews started the scoring play with a shot that Cameron knocked aside. However, Shuchuk was there to knock home the rebound and give the hosts a 1-0 lead. 

At the 13:47 mark in the second, the Cadets doubled their advantage with a short-handed score from Labbe, but the Spartans found an answer just over a minute later when Steadman converted a power play goal to make it 2-1. Robert stopped the initial shot from Wright, but Steadman was able to clean up the rebound and make it a one-goal game.

Castleton pushed hard for an equalizer in the third, putting seven shots on-target and playing the final minute of regulation with an extra attacker. However, they couldn't breach the Norwich defense, as the Cadets held on to hand the visitors a 2-1 defeat. 

The Spartans close out the regular season tomorrow at 1 pm when they face the New England College Pilgrims in NEHC play at Lee Clement Arena.