RINDGE, N.H. – After putting up a combined 13 goals in their first two games of the season, the Castleton women's hockey team could not get their offense going against Franklin Pierce Friday afternoon and was held scoreless in a 5-0 loss to the Ravens.
 
The Spartans (2-1-0) were forced to go on the defensive early in Friday's matchup, with Franklin Pierce controlling play in the opening period. Despite the efforts of Castleton's defenders and goaltender Kirsten DiCicco, the Ravens (4-4-0) would score their first goal just under nine minutes into the period off a rebound to make it a 1-0 game.
 
The lead would quickly double one minute later off a ripped shot from the slot that snuck past DiCicco, making it a 2-0 lead for Franklin Pierce. At the end of one, the Ravens had outshot Castleton 20-2, but the work of DiCicco, who racked up a career-high 51 saves on the day, kept it close.
 
The second period would be more tightly contested, with the Spartans getting off seven shots compared to just 14 for Franklin Pierce, but it would be the Ravens striking once again eight minutes into the frame on a shot that went through traffic and found the net.
 
It looked like Castleton would have a chance to get on the board halfway through the final period after two penalties were called on Franklin Pierce to make it a 5-on-3, but the Spartans were unable to convert on any of their chances. Instead, the Ravens tacked on two more goals over the final five minutes to extend their lead to five and hand Castleton their first loss of the season.
 
The Spartans will look to rebound in their conference-opener against New England College next Friday, Nov. 12, with puck-drop set for 6 p.m.