RUTLAND, Vt. -- With the regular season winding down, the Castleton University women's ice hockey team dropped a 2-1 New England Hockey Conference decision to Johnson & Wales Friday afternoon at Spartan Arena.

The Spartans (12-9-3, 9-4-2 NEHC) came out aggressive to start the game as the team registered 11 shots on goal in the first period. Despite the Wildcats (11-9-4, 8-4-3) producing their own pressure, Erin Smith opened up the scoring for the Spartans at the 17:50 mark of the period.

With the Spartans' power play expiring, Samantha Munroe sent an initial shot from the blue line that was tipped in front of the goal by Darby Palisi. With goaltender Jasmine Mucci leaning the wrong way, Smith charged in from the weak side and scored her first career goal to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. 

The Wildcats showed resiliency in today's contest as Hannah Tracy scored to at the 16:11 mark of the second period to tie the game up at two. With the Wildcats winning the faceoff to the right of goaltender Alexis Kalm, Cassie Wakefield collected the puck behind the Spartans' goal and threw it out in front. As a scrum occurred in front of the goal, Kalm made an initial save before Hannah Tracy slotted in the rebound. 

The Wildcats added a second goal at the 10:58 mark of the third period. Wakefield once again was involved in the play as she collected the puck near the far boards. She threw a pass to the top of the blue line and Cassidy Simanski, collecting the puck a few steps inside the blue line, slapped a shot that beat Kalm to give the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. 

The Spartans were unable to find an answer late in the third period despite some quality chances.

Despite the loss, the Spartans still control their own destiny in wrapping up the second seed in the NEHC playoffs. To earn the No. 2 seed in the upcoming playoffs, the Spartans need to take care of business and defeat Salem State in tomorrow's regular-season finale. The Wildcats are currently one point behind the Spartans and will need to defeat No. 6 Norwich and need the Spartans to lose in order to earn the second seed.

Women's ice hockey returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, February 15 as it takes on Salem State at 1 p.m. Kalm, Smith, Munroe, Maeghan Vasile, Nicolle Trivino, and Sophia Vingi will all be honored as the six seniors will compete in their final regular-season home game.