BABSON PARK, Mass. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's hockey team fell short to Babson College 7-5, on Saturday. The Spartans dropped to 1-9 in New England Hockey Conference play, while the Beavers improved to 7-3. 

Babson picked up where they left off last night with Will Holland getting the first goal on the board for the Beavers to take a 1-0 lead within the first five minutes of the opening period. Castleton tied the game with Zach Papapetros and Jackson Edwards setting up Aiden Robson for his first goal of the season to level the score at one.

The Beavers scored two goals in a row to take a 3-1 lead. Castleton's Emmett McHardy found the back of the net with the help of Luke Chakrabarti and Andrew Stefura with 16 seconds left in a high-scoring first period.

The teams took the high-scoring action into the second period, with the Beavers scoring a quick goal to start the second and take a 4-2 lead. Chance Heaphy responded for the Spartans with a goal set up by Trevor Castino and Zach Trempner to cut the deficit back to within one.

Babson began to take over in the second, scoring the next three goals to enter the final period with a 7-3 lead.

Castleton started the third period on the powerplay. Edwards dished the puck to defenseman Cam Reid, who rifled a shot past the goalie to give Castleton the spark they were looking for to begin the third and close the gap on the Beavers.

With momentum on their side, the Spartans found their fifth goal of the game with Logan Dapprich and Castino connecting with Reid for his second of the night to bring Castleton back within two. 

Despite holding the Beavers scoreless in the third, Castleton could not find the last two goals they needed as Babson was able to hold off the Spartans' rally and secure their fifth straight victory.

VTSU Castleton returns to action Friday, January 17 at 7 p.m. against NEHC opponent Norwich University on the road.