RUTLAND, Vt – Vermont State University Castleton women's hockey fell to Southern Maine Saturday afternoon, 3-1.
 
VTSU Castleton clashed with Southern Maine on Saturday at Spartan Arena. Each team came into today's match up 3-1-1 in conference play and victories over their previous opponents. The Spartans took control over the game early and made their presence known. The defense dominated in the first period, shutting down the Huskies and preventing them from taking a single shot on goal in the first period. The Spartans earned themselves three power play opportunities in the first, but couldn't capitalize on any of them and left the period blank.
 
After being shotless in the first, the Huskies started to make waves against Castleton. A costly penalty by the Spartans allowed for Southern Maine to open the scoring by with power play goal Saige Macleod. However, Castleton responded to the call and netted their own just seconds after the Huskies opened the scoring. Katie Campoli played one off the board mid ice and found Alex Johnson on the other end to receive, skate, and slot the puck right into the top corner. Each team continued to generate their own chances but would head into the final period tied at one.
 
With just over a minute being played into the third period, Macleod would find an open skater in front of the net to bury one past the keeper to take the lead over Castleton in the early stage of the final period. Playing from behind, Castleton made valiant efforts to tie the game once again but Haley McKim for the Huskies shut the Spartans down with 40 saves in the game. Castleton attempted one last effort by pulling the goalie with just over a minute left to play but Southern Maine would seal their fate with an empty net goal.
 
VTSU Castleton will be back in action for their inaugural "The Bagley Invitational" next Friday, December 8, at 4 p.m. at Spartan Arena against Rivier University.