RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton (1-1-1) women's hockey team suffered their first loss to New England Hockey Conference opponent Southern Maine (2-1-1) 3-1 Saturday afternoon.

Moa Carlsson notched her second goal of the season and scored in back-to-back games against the Huskies. Victoria Bakopanos took the net for a third straight game for the Spartans and made 27 saves, including 16 coming from the second period alone.

Ally Stymiest opened the scoring for the Huskies with an unassisted goal in the first period to put the Huskies ahead. Southern Maine extended their lead in the second period with a power play goal and an even-strength goal to give the Huskies a 3-0 lead after two periods of play.

In search of an answer, Castleton found a goal early in the third period to get them back within reach of the Huskies. Maysa Ford and Mikayla Brightman connected with Carlsson who blew by the defenders and buried the puck into the back of the net to make it a 3-1 game.

Castleton gave a valiant effort to get back into the game but the Huskies were able to hold on and secure their first NEHC conference win of the season.

VTSU Castleton returns to action Friday, November 15 at 6 p.m. against Albertus Magnus at Spartan Arena.