RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University men's hockey team defeated New England Hockey Conference opponent New England College 3-1 Friday evening in their Breaking the Ice on Mental Health event. The Spartans improved to 2-12-1 in the conference while the Pilgrims dropped to 5-7-1. 

Castleton struck early with Aiden Robson receiving the pass from Zach Papapetros and sniping the top corner from deep for his third goal of the season to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.

First-year Charles Watson was sensational in net for the Spartans. The Yarmouth, Maine native made 15 saves in the second period and finished with 34 saves to secure his first collegiate victory.

Andrew Stefura made a fighting play behind NEC's net to get the puck to Jackson Edwards who quickly found Josef Vyvial for a successful one-timer to extend Castleton's lead to two entering the final period of play.

NEC started the third on the powerplay and wasted no time as Jesper Tarkiainen hit a shot from deep to put the Pilgrims on the board and make it a 2-1 game.

The Pilgrims brought the intensity in attempt to find the tying goal but Castleton's defense lead by Cedrick Theodore and Cam Reid shut down NEC's offensive threats.

NEC had one more chance to get back into the game with a powerplay with 1:47 left in the game. The Pilgrims tried to find the right play but had no success with Trevor Castino hustling and intercepting the puck and slotting home the final goal on the penalty kill to secure the win for Castleton.

The two teams retake the ice tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Spartan Arena.