RUTLAND, Vt. -- The Castleton University women's ice hockey team finished fourth in the 2020 Castleton Invitational after a 2-0 loss to Buffalo State on Sunday afternoon at Spartan Arena.  

With the loss today, the Spartans drop their second straight game and fall to 8-7-0 while the Bengals improve to 3-10-0.

After a scoreless first period in which the Bengals outshot the Spartans 8-6; the Bengals broke the scoreless tie at the 14:40 mark of the second period. Angelina Cruzal, who was named to the All-Tournament Team for her efforts this weekend, maneuvered her way through the Spartan defense and took an initial shot that was saved by goaltender Alexis Kalm. After a scrum occurred in front of the Spartan goal, Cruzal found the puck and buried her first goal of the season to give the Bengals the 1-0 lead.

The Spartans' defense was able to keep the Bengals off the board for the rest of the second period, but were unable to even the score. The Bengals would double to lead near the end of the of the third period to solidify the win. Cruzal continued to make her presence known after the puck was dumped into the Spartans' defensive zone. After another scrum took place near the Spartan goal, Cruzal threw a pass across the crease and in which Lila Toczek buried to give the Bengals a 2-0 lead.

Despite the loss, Kalm was spectacular this weekend as she was named to the All-Tournament team. In today's game, she stopped 28 of 30 shots she faced while being the driving force behind killing off four Bengal power play opportunities.

In the Castleton Invitational championship game, SUNY Canton used goals from Alexa Parigi and Lily Cullen as the Kangaroos defeated Northland College 2-0. Parigi was named to the All-Tournament team as she tallied two goals this weekend. Goaltender Sirena Alvarez was named the Castleton Invitational Most Valuable Player as she allowed just one goal and collected 41 saves in the two games played.

Women's ice hockey will begin a three game road trip as it returns to action Friday, January 10 to take on Nichols. The puck is scheduled to drop at 6:40 p.m.

2020 Castleton Invitational All-Tournament Team

Forward:         #55 Alex Parigi (Canton)

Forward:         #26 Lexie Budensiek (Northland)

Forward:         #23 Angelina Cruzal (Buffalo State)

Defense:          #15 Jordan Emerson (Canton)

Defense:          #12 Vivienne Kallio (Northland)

Goalie:             #29 Alexis Kalm (Castleton)

MVP:               #70 Sirena Alvarez (Canton)