PINE VALLEY, N.Y. -- Despite taking an early lead, the Castleton women's hockey team fell at 10th-ranked Elmira, 2-1, Friday night.

Meg Aiken applied the night's first score with 19 seconds to go in the first period on assists by Alex Johnson and Emily Harris. Kirsten DiCicco made a career-high 55 saves while holding the New England Hockey Conference's lone undefeated squad to two strikes. The Spartans (12-9-1, 9-6-0 NEHC) blocked another 19 shots across 13 different skaters, led by Rainey Lay with a trio of deflections.

The Soaring Eagles (17-5-0, 15-0-0 NEHC) had their first power play opportunity killed after DiCicco collected four saves in two minutes. Although the home team held steady possession as the contest proceeded, the Spartans got a surge as Johnson brought the puck into attacking territory following a strong defensive stand. The junior forward found Harris who kicked it to Aiken as the Prince Edward Islander got the finish from 20 feet out with 19 seconds left in the opening period.

A team that typically thrives in man-up situations, Castleton was unsuccessful in its only power play in the latter half of the second period but penetrated the Soaring Eagle goal with a few attempts. Roles reversed minutes later as Elmira got a five-on-four situation, sending in the equalizer in the waning moments to set up a tense final 20 minutes.

While the Spartans struggled to maintain control of the puck, Elmira continued to send shots toward DiCicco who made a valiant effort to keep proceedings level. The Spartans tried to get action back into the visitors' attacking zone, but Madi Morton intercepted it and dished it off to Erika Goleniak who put in the game-winning goal with 6:44 left. Castleton sent four shots at Leonie Kuehberger in the last five minutes, but none found net as Elmira preserved its unblemished league record with a 2-1 decision.

The Spartans are back on the ice tomorrow, February 4 at William Smith. Puck drop against the Herons is scheduled for 4 p.m.