RUTLAND, Vt. - The Castleton University men's hockey team was outlasted by ninth-ranked Babson Saturday afternoon at Spartan Arena, dropping the conference contest by a final score of 5-1. Stone Stelzl netted the lone goal for the Spartans. 

Babson (13-4-2, 8-4-2 NEHC) claimed an early 1-0 lead midway through the opening period, but Stelzl netted the equalizer just two minutes later. Zach Papapetros threaded the needle to find Stelzl for a high-percentage chance and the sophomore converted for his third of the season. The Beavers saw three power play opportunities in the later half of the first, including one that carried over into the second, but Castleton (4-16-1, 0-13-1 NEHC) kept the Babson power play that ranks sixth in the nation off the board. 

The visitors reclaimed the lead early in the second period as Ryan Black scored his first of back-to-back goals. He capped the period with his second tally in the final four minutes. 

Trailing 3-1 late in the third period, the Spartans pulled goaltender Brandon Collett looking to climb back, but surrendered a pair of empty net goals. 

Collett totaled 30 saves, including 14 in the first period. Beaver goalie Brad Arvanitis registered 21 saves. 

Next up for Castleton is a weekend on the road featuring matchups with Hobart and Elmira. The Spartans will then return home to take on UMass Boston, hosting the first-ever Breaking the Ice on Mental Health Game.