RUTLAND, Vt. – Vermont State University Castleton women's hockey defeated NEC 4-2 in their 20th anniversary celebration.
VTSU Castleton hosted NEC Saturday afternoon in New England Hockey Conference action. This game was played in recognition of the women's 20th anniversary since being established back in 2004. Castleton welcomed back alumni for the celebration and recognition of the teams two All-Decade teams (2004-2014, 2014-2024).
With the fans packing Spartan Arena, the Spartans went to work on the Pilgrims. The Spartans brought the energy and pressure to NEC. The Pilgrims became frustrated early, which resulted in a roughing penalty to give Castleton an extra skater advantage.
Alex Johnson made no mistake of the opportunity and buried her sixth goal of the season to give the Spartans an early lead.
Amanda Vaughn and
Katie Campoli connected with each other to set up Johnson on the play. Before the first ended,
Julia Carpenter cycled the puck back to Campoli who found Vaughn in front of the net and would sneak one by the keeper to put the Spartans up by two.
Castleton continued to apply the pressure in the second period, but the Pilgrims came back with an answer of their own. NEC's Ak Fuentes found the back of the net to cut the deficit to one. The Pilgrims found their stride and rode the momentum from their first goal and were able to find a second one just a little over as minute after their first. Castleton had some late chances to go back up but would fall short and head to the third period tied up at two.
Sophomore
Kara Boassaly held it down in the net for the Spartans. Keeping her poise after two periods, Boassaly shutdown all efforts by the Pilgrims in the third and provided 19 saves for the Spartans. Vaughn, who tallied a goal and an assist in the first, would add one more assist to her career night. This time it went to the speedster
Moa Carlsson, who turned on the jets, burned the opposition ahead of her and stuffed one right past the keeper to give the Spartans the lead once again. To keep their lead alive, Nora Pollestad blasted one from the blue, which made its way to the back of the net, to solidify the Spartans 4-2 victory. This was Pollestad first career goal.
VTSU Castleton returns to action Friday, February 2 at 6 p.m. against Southern Maine.
