HENNIKER, N.H. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's ice hockey team earned its third Little East Conference win of the season Friday night, defeating New England College 4-2. The Spartans improved to 4-0-0, marking their best start to a season since the 2015-16 campaign.
The Basics
• Final Score: VTSU Castleton 4, New England College 2
• Location: Henniker, N.H. | Lee Clement Arena
• Records: VTSU Castleton 4-0-0 (3-0-0 LEC) | New England College 0-4-0 (0-3-0 LEC)
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How It Happened
Castleton opened the scoring midway through the first period when
Brooke Noble put the Spartans ahead. After winning the faceoff, Castleton pushed up the ice with a 3-on-2 advantage.
Melanie Decock carried the puck through the middle before sending a pass to Noble on the wing, where she beat her defender and put the Spartans on the board.
New England College found the equalizer five minutes later, capitalizing on a Castleton turnover in the defensive zone to send the teams into the second period tied at one.
The Spartans regained the lead late in the middle frame after a battle for the puck behind the net. The puck came loose in front, where Noble was waiting to poke it past the Pilgrims' goaltender for her second goal of the night, giving Castleton a 2-1 advantage.
Castleton extended its lead on the power play after New England College took a body checking penalty.
Olivia Carter fired a shot from the blue line that found its way into the back of the net, sending the Spartans into the third period with a 3-1 lead.
The Spartans added an insurance goal five minutes into the final frame when Decock took a pass from the wing and slipped the puck beneath the goaltender to make it 4-1. New England College responded with a goal of its own a few minutes later, but Castleton held on to seal the 4-2 conference victory.
By the Numbers.
Up Next
Castleton will travel to Plymouth State tomorrow for a 5 p.m. Little East Conference matchup.
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