RUTLAND, Vt. – The Castleton women's hockey team protected home ice in their matchup against Southern Maine Saturday afternoon, using a two-goal second period to complete the comeback and earn a 2-1 victory.
 
Entering the afternoon's contest, the Spartans (5-2-0, 3-1-0 NEHC) had converted on just four of their 28 power play opportunities. On Saturday, Castleton scored both of their goals with the player advantage, proving to be the difference-maker in the one-score win over the Huskies.
 
It was Southern Maine (5-3-0, 4-2-0 NEHC) striking first in the opening period, slipping the puck past Kirsten DiCicco on a rebound. Despite giving up the early goal, DiCicco was excellent in goal for the Spartans, racking up 24 saves in her fourth win of the year.
 
Already with a lead, Southern Maine earned back-to-back power play opportunities halfway through the first period, but incredible positioning by Castleton saw the Spartans block five of the nine shots the Huskies took, keeping it just a 1-0 game entering the first intermission.
 
Southern Maine appeared to be controlling the second period, but a tripping penalty shifted all the momentum in Castleton's favor, as the Spartans leveled the score just 14 seconds into the power play.
 
Samantha Lawler got the puck in the corner and passed it out to Emily Harris. The sophomore then rifled a shot toward the net, where Julia Carpenter was waiting for the redirect, sneaking the puck into the top corner and tying the game at one. The goal was Carpenter's second of the year, and first since Castleton's season-opener against Rivier.
 
Another tripping call against the Huskies at the 18-minute mark meant the Spartans would finish the second period on a power play. One minute through the 5-on-4, Southern Maine had created the best scoring chance for either side, but with one second left in the period, it was Katherine Campoli tallying her first collegiate goal off her own rebound to give the Spartans the 2-1 lead.
 
Campoli appeared to score her first goal in Friday night's win over Salem State, but the score was given to Brooke Greenwood upon review. The junior wasted no time, however, finding the back of the net again with what would eventually be the game-winner over Southern Maine.
 
The Huskies turned up the pressure in the final period, pulling their goalie with a minute remaining to get the 6-on-5, but DiCicco turned away all seven shots Southern Maine got on frame to seal the 2-1 win for the Spartans.
 
Castleton wraps up their three-game home stand Tuesday, Nov. 23 with a matchup against Middlebury College. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.