RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's ice hockey team reclaimed the Bagley Invitational Cup on Saturday afternoon after defeating Worcester State University, 2-1, in the Championship Game.

The Basics
• Final Score: VTSU Castleton 2, Worcester State 1
• Location: Spartan Arena – Rutland, Vt.
• Records: Castleton 7-6-0 | Worcester State 6-6-0

How It Happened
Day two of the Bagley Invitational started much like day one, as the Spartans were strongest offensively, tossing eight shots on goal while seeing nine shots blocked in the opening stanza. The visitors did appear to find some offensive rhythm toward the end of the period, sending five shots on Kara Boassaly in the final three minutes.

The middle period started much like the first, again seeing Castleton at its strongest. Worcester saw its best scoring opportunity as one of its skaters broke free through the neutral zone, eyeing an undefended Boassaly in goal. Moa Carlsson wasted no time stepping up, racing down the ice and using a well-executed poke check to send the puck wide, allowing her squad time to retreat and keeping the game scoreless.

With time running out, Castleton was finally able to break the stalemate as Moa Carlsson dished the puck to Brooke Noble in front of the Lancer netminder, before the sophomore found Meg Aiken for the first score of the day with 1:39 remaining on the clock.

Castleton added another score—the eventual game-winner—just 59 seconds later as Maddy Jorgenson chased her errant shot behind the goal before finding Mikayla Brightman out front. Brightman then sauced it to Noble for the goal, making it 2-0 Spartans.

The intensity picked up in the final period, with more balanced possession throughout. Things got interesting with 12 minutes remaining in regulation as WSU was finally able to beat the brick wall that was Boassaly to make it 2-1. She answered with four massive saves down the stretch, helped along by two blocks from her squad, securing her second victory of the weekend.

By the Numbers
• Noble, who owned the game-winner, had two points on the day with one goal and one assist.
• Aiken now ties for second on the team in scoring with four goals on the season.
• Carlsson, Jorgenson, and Brightman all finished the day with one point on one assist. Brightman led the team at the faceoff circle with 12 wins, going 12-for-18.
• Boassaly had another strong outing in goal, turning away 19 shots.
• The Spartans dominated at the faceoff dot, going 36-for-54, and also owned a 28-20 advantage in shots on goal.
• A shining moment for the Lancers, Lea Gaspar racked up eight blocked shots while also recording an assist on her team's lone goal.

All-Tournament Team
• Potsdam – #20 Josie Purdy
• Anna Maria – #22 Tessa Henry
• Worcester – #24 Lea Gaspar
• Worcester – #31 Kelsey Czerniawski
• Castleton – #24 Brooke Noble
• Castleton – #27 Mikayla Brightman
Tournament MVP – #33 Kara Boassaly (Castleton)

Up Next
Castleton will return to conference action on Friday, January 9, as it hosts Norwich University for a 4 p.m. Little East Conference hockey matchup.