UTICA, N.Y. -- The Castleton University women's ice hockey team, playing its second game in as many days, dropped a 5-1 non-conference decision to Utica College Saturday evening at the Adirondack Bank Center.
 
The Spartans fell behind late in the first period as the Pioneers took the lead at the 13:45 mark. After a centering pass from Erica Sloan was thrown in front of the Spartans' net, Maggie Rylott scored from point-blank range, giving the Pioneers the advantage. The Pioneers tallied one more goal in the first period, a Carolyn Whitney tip-in, and the Pioneers led 2-0 after the first period of action.
 
The Pioneers began to run away in the second period as Sloan and Carly Stefanini both scored to extend the lead to 4-0. Freshman goaltender Kirsten DiCicco entered the game at the 8:17 mark of the second period and saw her first collegiate action after Jessie Foote exited the contest.
 
Foote, who starred in a winning effort at Utica a season ago, finished with 12 saves in 28:17 minutes of action. DiCicco played the rest of the way, giving up only one goal and tallied 16 saves, including 10 in the third period to keep the Pioneers off the board. The Pioneer's netminder Angela Hawthorne earned the win and finished with 26 saves.
 
Darby Palisi got the Spartans on the board at the 9:35 mark of the second period. While on the power play, Palisi redirected and tipped in an initial slapshot from Casey Traill past the goaltender Hawthorne to cut the deficit to 4-1.
 
The Spartans' comeback fell short as the Pioneers added a powerplay goal of their own just over five minutes later. Stefanini tallied her second goal of the game to solidify the 5-1 victory for the Pioneers.
 
Women's ice hockey returns to action Friday, February 19 as it takes on New England College in a non-conference contest at Spartan Arena. The puck drop is slated for 4 p.m.