CASTLETON, Vt. – With the 2021-22 women's hockey season beginning this week, the Spartans have named Katherine Campoli, Ryanne Mix and Darby Palisi assistant captains, while Courtney Gauthier will wear the 'C' for the second consecutive year.
 
In her sophomore campaign, Palisi ranked second on the team with seven points coming on four goals and three assists. The New Hampshire-native scored two-game winners on the year and assisted on Emily Harris' game-winning goal in their upset-victory over Norwich. With three seniors graduating this offseason, Palisi ranks second on the team in career points with 21, coming on 12 goals and nine assists.
 
Campoli and Mix combined for one goal and four assists last season and were a major part of a unit that allowed just over two goals per game and tallied two shutouts. This defensive line will be without 2020-21 captain Casey Traill after she was drafted into the NWHL this summer, but will look to continue to improve under the leadership of Campoli and Mix, who also ranked top three on the team in shot blocks with 14 and 23 respectively.
 
The captain of this Spartans group is Gauthier, who currently sits in sixth on Castleton's all-time assists list with 34. In her 2019-20 season, the Tampa, Florida-native earned a spot on the NEHC All-Conference Second Team after a six-goal, seven-assist season in which she finished second on the team in points. After missing last season due to injury, Gauthier will add another weapon to this already impressive Castleton frontline that scored just under two goals a game last year.
 
With all but five players returning and the addition of four newcomers, this Spartans group boasts plenty of experience and depth heading into the year.
 
Castleton opens their season Friday, Oct. 29 against Rivier University, with puck drop set for 4 p.m.