MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Castleton women's hockey team battled the nation's top-ranked team in Middlebury Tuesday afternoon, suffering a narrow 3-1 loss to the Panthers at Kenyon Arena. 

Samantha Lawler delivered the Spartans' (4-3-0, 2-2-0 NEHC) goal in the first period on an assist from Moa Carlsson. Alex Johnson, Katherine Campoli, and Emery Bonner led the squad in blocks with four apiece as the Spartans totaled 24 deflections. Goaltender Kirsten DiCicco made 31 saves, her second-highest mark of the season.

Middlebury (3-0-0, 2-0-0 NESCAC) was first on the board with a fifth-minute goal from Cat Appleyard. A Spartan power play ensued a minute later, but the Panthers held sturdy to refuse any Castleton offense. However, as soon as the Panthers got back to full strength, freshman Carlsson found senior Lawler to even the score at 1-1. The Spartans kept possession for the next few minutes, but Middlebury worked the puck back into attacking territory and regained the lead on a Claudia Vira dart in the 12th minute.

The Panthers controlled the puck for the majority of the second frame but DiCicco made a valiant 12-save stand and the defense blocked 11 shots. Panther goalie Sophia Merageas faced five shots on goal, refusing to allow a goal as each side was held scoreless. 

The third-period faceoff was won by Julia Carpenter as the Spartans dashed into their attacking zone. Carpenter and Emily Harris sent a pair of shots on goal but both were saved. As the Panthers regained control, DiCicco snagged nine saves to keep the gap at one. With just over five minutes to play, Middlebury's Britt Nawrocki put a shot around DiCicco to extend the lead to 3-1 where it would stay. Castleton finished the contest without a penalty for the first time this season.

The Spartans have a weeklong break before their next match on Tuesday, November 29 at home against Wesleyan (CT). Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Spartan Arena.