HENNIKER, N.H. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's ice hockey team split its weekend series with New England College after falling, 3-2, in Little East Conference action Saturday night.

The Basics
• Final Score: New England College 3, Castleton 2
• Location: Lee Clement Arena – Henniker, N.H.
• Records: NEC 5-11-0 (4-6-0 LEC) | Castleton 8-9-0 (4-6-0 LEC)

How It Happened
Despite Mikayla Brightman winning the opening faceoff, New England quickly gained control of the puck and scored on its first look of the night, as just 14 seconds ticked off the game clock. Castleton responded by winning the ensuing faceoff and generating offensive looks, while on the other end of the ice Eryn O'Connor recorded two saves in her first collegiate contest.

The Pilgrims struck again at 6:59 to take a 2-0 lead early in the contest. The Spartans continued to send shots on goal, aided by a five-minute power-play, but trailed 2-0 heading into the second period.

The second stanza marked the beginning of a comeback attempt, as Morgan Arscott scored just 1:42 into the period, assisted by Rainey Lay and Brooke Noble, to make it 2-1 NEC. Castleton continued to hunt for the equalizer for the remainder of the period, forcing the Pilgrim netminder to make 13 saves to maintain the advantage heading into the final frame. At the other end, New England generated five shots, all of which were turned aside by the Spartans' rookie goaltender.

The final 20 minutes mirrored the previous period, with Castleton controlling the shot count while searching for its second goal. The effort paid off at 17:20 as Moa Carlsson, skating short-handed, tied the game at 2-2 with an unassisted tally.

With less than 60 seconds remaining in regulation, the Spartans had their sights set on overtime. O'Connor made a save at 19:32, but the rebound came out to an awaiting Pilgrim, who buried the deciding goal. Castleton fell heartbreakingly, 3-2.

By the Numbers
• Arscott's second-period goal marked the first of her collegiate career.
• Carlsson leads all of Division III with three short-handed goals.
• Lay, who assisted on Arscott's goal, paired with Chevy Irizarry to record two blocked shots apiece.
• Making her first collegiate start, O'Connor finished with 18 saves.

Up Next
The Spartans return home next weekend, January 23 and 24, to host the University of Southern Maine for a two-game Little East Conference series. Saturday's contest will serve as the program's 17th annual Pink the Rink event in partnership with the Rutland Regional Medical Group's Foley Cancer Center.