GORHAM, Maine -- Winners of three straight New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) contests, the Castleton University women's ice hockey team took on Southern Maine at USM Ice Arena Saturday afternoon. Samantha Lawler's lone second period goal was the difference as the Spartans defeated the Huskies 1-0 to earn their fourth straight victory.

Defense was key in the first period as both teams fought off a plethora of shots. The Spartans (4-2-0, 4-0-0 NEHC) managed to get seven shots on goal while the Huskies (2-4-0, 2-2-0 NEHC) were able to direct five shots on goal.

With neither team able to find the back of the net, the Spartans would finally break the deadlock at the 15:38 mark of the second period. After a Huskies' turnover, Courtney Gauthier raced down the ice and delivered a pass to Lawler who easily directed the puck into the back of the net.

Lawler scored her second goal of the season and tallied her first game-winning goal of her young career.

Gauthier, who added the only assist of the game, tallied two goals and two assists for four points in the Spartans' two wins this weekend.

With the Spartans clinging on to a 1-0 lead heading into the final period of play, the Huskies would try to respond. The third period saw the Huskies deliver 11 shots on goal that were all turned away by Alexis Kalm.

Kalm, who earned her first shutout of the 2019-20 season, saved all 25 shots she faced to earn the victory.

Women's ice hockey returns to action Friday, November 22 as it returns to Spartan Arena to take on New England College in NEHC action. The puck is scheduled to drop at 4 p.m.