BOSTON, Mass. – Vermont State University Castleton women's hockey fell to UMass Boston Friday evening, 2-1.
 
VTSU Castleton (5-8-2) looked to get back into the win column with a New England Hockey Conference matchup between UMass Boston. The two NEHC opponents tied in their contest earlier in the season, 1-1 at Spartan Arena. With puck drop taking center ice at Edward T. Barry Ice Rink, the Spartans and Beacons were ready for Friday night action.
 
With play beginning, the two teams looked evenly matched in the first period. The Beacons would go on to first in the contest and take a 1-0 lead. The Spartans fought back for a chance to tie it, but came up short and headed to the locker room down one after one. The Spartans didn't find much to go their way in the second. The Beacons limited Castleton's opportunity and took control of the game themselves. UMass earned a power play and made the most of it by scoring their second of the game and extending their lead to two. The Spartans were able to generate some momentum towards the end of the period. First year forward Mikayla Brightman found the back of the net to give the Spartans some energy heading into the locker after two periods of play. This was Brightman's first career goal.
 
Victoria Bakopanos kept the Spartans within one for all of the third period. She provided 28 saves to give Castleton a chance at coming back. However, there efforts would run short and would fall to the Beacons 2-1. Castleton is now 3-4-2 in conference.
 
VTSU Castleton return to action Saturday, January 13 at 3 p.m. against NEHC opponent Johnson & Wales.