RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's ice hockey team faced a tough test on Tuesday night, falling 6-0 to Middlebury College in nonconference action at Spartan Arena.

The Basics
• Final Score: Middlebury 6, VTSU Castleton 0
• Location: Spartan Arena – Rutland, Vt.
• Records: Middlebury 2-0-1 | Castleton 3-4-0
 
How It Happened
Middlebury struck early, taking a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the first period before adding another at 9:54 to carry a 2-0 advantage into intermission.

The visitors added to their momentum with a goal just eight seconds into the second period and extended the gap to 4-0 at 7:38. Castleton generated a handful of steady shifts and won 12 faceoffs in the frame but was unable to break through Middlebury's defense.

The Panthers closed the scoring with two goals late in the third, finding the net at 15:19 and again at 17:32.

Despite the final score, Castleton continued to battle in its own end, recording 15 blocked shots and holding Middlebury without a power-play opportunity.
 
By the Numbers
• Goalie Gianna McCusker finished with 32 saves, stopping 9 shots in the first, 12 in the second and 11 in the third.
• Castleton blocked 15 shots, led by Olivia Carter (4), Maysa Ford (2), Maddy Jorgenson (2) and Brooke Noble (2).
• Mikayla Brightman led the Spartans in the faceoff circle, going 14-for-18, pacing Castleton to a 28-25 edge on draws.

Up Next
Castleton returns to conference play on Friday, hosting UMass Boston at 6 p.m. at Spartan Arena.