RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's hockey team kicked off the 2025 Bagley Invitational with a 7-1 victory over Keene State Friday afternoon.

Highlighting their result was the powerplay units, as the Spartans' powerplay scored five times matching their school record for most powerplay goals in one game. Ellie Schliebener, Alex Johnson, and Codi Bacon each tallied three points, while Victoria Bakopanos earned the victory with a 24-save performance.

 Johnson opened the scoring with the help of Schliebener and Mikayla Brightman on the powerplay to give Castleton a 1-0 lead within the first minutes of the game. Schliebener would go on to score Castleton's second goal on a two-on-one breakout with teammate Moa Carlsson providing the pass across the crease for Schliebener to deke the goalie and put away the opportunity. Meg Aiken was credited with an assist in on the goal.

Castleton wrapped up a big first period with Schliebener and Bacon setting up first-year Brooke Noble for their second powerplay goal to extend Castleton's lead to 3-0. Noble followed up with her second powerplay goal to continue to open the gap over the Owls.

The Spartans piled up the goals with Annika Nelson and Rachel McNeil adding to Castleton's goal tally. Taylor Adams, Nora Hundsnes Pollestad, and Caris Erickson tallied an assist in the contest to help Castleton cruise past the Owls. 

VTSU Castleton will face off against No. 14 Colby College in tomorrow's final at 4 p.m.