OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's ice hockey team opened its season in a big way on Friday evening, shutting out nationally-ranked Oswego State on the road, 3-0.

The Basics
• Final Score: VTSU Castleton 3, #8 Oswego 0
• Location: Deborah F. Stanley Arena – Oswego, N.Y.
• Records: Castleton 1-0 | Oswego 0-1

How It Happened
After several power play opportunities early in the first period, the Spartans were able to break through the Laker goaltender even strength for their first goal of the season. The score was owned by Meg Aiken, assisted by Olivia Carter. Castleton put up seven saves by Gianna McCusker while also adding five blocked shots to get out of the first stanza up 1-0.

Period two was as intense as the first one had been, seeing penalties by both teams and strong saves by the netminders. Castleton took an Ellie Schliebener hooking call with 2:31 remaining in the stanza. This did not hinder the green and white as Moa Carlsson was able to find herself one-on-one with the Oswego State goalie less than 20 seconds in, beating her top-shelf for her program's best fifth shorthanded goal to put her squad up 2-0 heading into the final period.

 An absolute animal in the crease, McCusker added 14 saves to keep her squad ahead with 2:11 remaining on the game clock. This forced the nationally-ranked hosts to pull their goalie in exchange for a sixth skater. Castleton found a way to capitalize on the empty net as Carlsson skated down the length of the ice, moderately unhindered, before her shot sailed just wide of the post. The captain of the Spartans was able to regain possession of the puck and dish it across the offensive zone to a waiting Schliebener, who sent it home to extend the lead to 3-0.

McCusker was able to record one more save before time ran out on the evening to secure her first career shutout in the 3-0 victory.

By the Numbers

• McCusker was a brick wall between the pipes for Castleton as she stopped a career-best 38 saves against a very tough Laker squad.
• Carlsson looks to pick up where she left off last season, as she put up two points on a goal and an assist in the win.
• A chippy contest, there were nine total penalties handed out, seven to Oswego and two to Castleton.

Up Next
The Spartans look to keep rolling as they return to the Deborah F. Stanley Arena for another contest with the nationally-ranked Lakers, this time set for a 3 p.m. puck drop.