RUTLAND, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's ice hockey team scored seven unanswered goals after conceding early, rolling past Western Connecticut State University, 7-1, in its Little East Conference home opener Friday night at Spartan Arena.
The Basics
• Final Score: VTSU Castleton 7, Western Connecticut 1
• Location: Rutland, Vt. | Spartan Arena
• Records: VTSU Castleton 2-0 (1-0 LEC) | Western Connecticut 1-2-0 (0-1 LEC)
How It Happened
Western Connecticut opened the scoring at 4:55 of the first period, but Castleton responded just 30 seconds later.
Olivia Carter and
Madeleine Corrigan set up
Alicia Perron, who found the back of the net to even the score at one. The Spartans quickly took control from there, as
Brooke Noble converted on the power play off an assist from
Maddy Jorgenson for the go ahead goal. Just one minute later,
Mikayla Brightman added to the lead with help from
Caris Erickson and
Amanda Vaughn.
Castleton kept the pressure on, with Perron scoring her second goal of the night after Corrigan found her for the finish. The Spartans capped the five-goal opening period with Corrigan getting in on the scoring herself in the 19th minute.
Taylor Gleeson and Perron assisted on the tally, sending Castleton into the first intermission with a 5-1 advantage.
The Spartans continued to hold the Wolves off in the second period. Six minutes in, a Western Connecticut player came out of the penalty box and created a 2-on-1 breakaway opportunity, but Carter broke up the play to keep the visitors from cutting into the lead. Castleton added another late in the frame when
Taylor Adams scored a shorthanded goal at 19:08, to make it 6-1.
Brightman put the finishing touch on the victory early in the third period, scoring her second goal of the game. Erickson and
Gracie Hurlbut picked up the assists as the Spartans completed the 7-1 conference win.
By the Numbers
- Perron and Brightman led Castleton with two goals apiece.
- Castleton outshot Western Connecticut 63-10 and won 48 of 62 faceoffs.
- Eryn O'Connor made nine saves to earn her first career victory.
Up Next
The Spartans return to Spartan Arena tomorrow, hosting Keene State at 3 p.m. in Little East Conference action.
