RUTLAND, Vt. – The Castleton women's hockey team struggled from the start in their Friday night contest against No. 9 Norwich, giving up four first period goals en route to a 6-0 loss to the Cadets.
 
The Spartans (6-7-2, 4-4-1 NEHC) came out aggressive, but one mistake was all it took for Norwich to carry the puck down the ice and convert on their first shot of the day to make it a 1-0 game three minutes in. The Cadets (11-4-0, 9-1-0 NEHC) doubled their lead 15 seconds later off a scrum in front of net, and goals at the 6:41 and 13:00 minute marks gave Norwich the 4-0 lead after one.
 
Despite the shaky start to the contest, netminder Kirsten DiCicco remained in the game and put together a solid next two periods, saving 20 of the 22 shots she faced over the next 40 minutes.
 
Like DiCicco, Castleton picked up their play in the second period, getting eight shots on net compared to just five in the opening frame, but were unable to convert on any of their chances. Instead, it was the Cadets finding paydirt once again with just over a minute remaining in the period to make it a 5-0 game.
 
Norwich would add their sixth and final goal halfway through the final frame, and despite one-on-one opportunities from both Emily Harris and Brooke Greenwood, would hand the Spartans their fifth shutout loss of the season.
 
Castleton will look to get back on track Tuesday, Jan. 25 when they travel to New Hampshire to take on Plymouth State. Puck drop is set for 4:00 p.m.