MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Vermont State University Castleton women's hockey fell to Wesleyan University, 3-2 Tuesday night.
 
Each team came out evenly matched to begin the match. Reading each other's game and testing one another trying to find the open lanes. Victoria Bakopanos got the start in net and established herself early, shutting down the Cardinals and keep the play level with seven saves in the first period. The Spartans generated their own opportunities but couldn't find anything to end the first period of play.
 
After a tight first period, the Cardinals came out swinging, scoring in the early minutes of the period to take the first lead of the game. Wesleyan found their grove and continued to rack up points with two goals in 30 seconds to take a 3-0 over the Spartans. Bakopanos continued to provide relief and stop as much of the damage heading her way, with 17 saves to conclude the second period.
 
The Spartans stayed persistent and continued to try and find a way back into this game. They would be penalized in the first minutes of the period but that didn't stop Moa Carlsson from giving the team hope once again. Carlsson went on and bagged a shorthanded goal to get the Spartans on the board and back into the game. Frustrated by Castleton's play, the Cardinals began to stack up on the penalties, which allowed for the door to be opened for Castleton. First year Mikayla Brightman would set up Carlsson on a powerplay to secure her second of the game and bring the Spartans back within one. This was Brightman's first career point. The late effort chances weren't enough however, as the Cardinals would hold on and escape the late push from Castleton.
 
VTSU Castleton returns home for weekend action at Spartan Arena. Facing off against NEHC opponents Salem St on Friday, December 1 at 6 p.m. and Southern Maine on Saturday, December 2 at 3 p.m.