RUTLAND, Vt. -- After nearly a twelve-month hiatus, the Castleton University women's ice hockey team returned to action as it defeated Utica College 2-1 Friday evening at Spartan Arena. With the win tonight, the Spartans begin the 2020-21 season at 1-0, while the Pioneers drop to 0-1. 
 
The Spartans took the lead with less than a minute off the clock as Kaitlin Bardellini slid one past Pioneers' goaltender Savannah Gutierrez for her first goal of the season. After Ali Stevens redirected a pass behind the Pioneers' net, Riley Nichols sent a pass from the far side across the crease, giving Bardellini an easy goal-scoring opportunity.
 
The Pioneers, however, responded quickly as Carly Stefanini evened the scoring at the 7:34 mark of the first period. After receiving a pass from Nicole Flak, Stefanini was able to sneak one past Spartans' goaltender Katlyn Hathaway, glove side, to tie the game up at one apiece.
 
Hathaway, making her fourth career start, was stellar in goal as she earned her third career win. The junior netminder stopped 27 of the 28 shots she faced in the contest, including pushing aside all 14 shots on goal in the second period.
 
With the game knotted up at one for almost half of the second period, the Spartans finally broke through regained the lead. While on the powerplay, Darby Palisi tipped in an initial shot from Nichols for her first goal of the season. With Palisi camping out in front of the Pioneers' net, Nichols received a pass from Emily Harris and raced towards the goal. With Gutierrez unable to control Nichols' shot, Palisi was there to connect on the rebound and give the Spartans the lead for good.
 
Despite a plethora of shots in the third period from the Pioneers, the Spartans were able to hold on and grab the narrow victory.
 
Women's ice hockey returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, February 13 as it travels to Utica, N.Y. to take on Utica College once again. The puck is scheduled to drop at 6 p.m.