RUTLAND, Vt. — The Castleton women's hockey team collected a runner-up finish at this weekend's Castleton Invitational, dropping a 4-1 contest to No. 7 Colby Saturday night.
Darby Palisi scored the Spartans' (6-6-0, 3-3-0 NEHC) goal with assists given to Samantha Lawler and Miranda Wheeler. The senior captain leads the squad with six scores going into the holiday break. Izabella Segui got her second start of the weekend in goal, saving 41 of the Mules' (8-0-0, 2-0-0 NESCAC) 45 on-net shots.
The nationally-ranked Mules started off hot but Segui stepped up and a host of Spartans blocked shot attempts. A Castleton power play shifted momentum as a trio of shots hurled toward netminder Paige Bolyard who saved each for a penalty kill. Colby eventually found its footing and McKinley Karpa put in the night's first goal with 5:43 to go in the first period. The Spartans retaliated with 24 seconds left as Wheeler passed to Lawler who scurried toward the box, hitting Palisi who fired a dart to level the score.
Just as the Mules scored within the first moment's of Friday's win over SUNY Potsdam, it took Colby 20 seconds into the second frame to break the tie and lead 2-1 on a strike from Tate Senden. The Spartans held off the visitors for the rest of the period, using a pair of Kaitlin Bardellini blocks, force of off-target shots, and Segui's ferocious play between the pipes.
The sophomore goaltender's strong play continued into the final period as Segui made 18 stops in the 20-minute span. But Colby's persistence and faceoff success spurred back-to-back goals in the 15th minute from Mattie Tremper and Breanna Studley, making the score final at 4-1.
Segui and Bonner were named to the All-Tournament Team as Segui collected 51 saves for the weekend and Bonner had one goal and one assist with all-around solid defensive play.
The Spartans resume action after the break at home, welcoming Lake Forest on Tuesday, January 3. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m.
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP - McKinley Karpa, Colby
F - Brianna Parent, Rivier
F - Meg Rittenhouse, Colby
D - Emery Bonner, Castleton
D - Rachelle Cain, SUNY Potsdam
D - Bri Michaud-Nolan, Colby
G - Izabella Segui, Castleton
