Dembrowski stops 48 shots as Castleton State surprises Seahawks, 1-0

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Sophomore Katharyn Dembrowski (Elkridge, Md.) made 48 saves and junior Meagan Hulbert (Barre, Vt.) scored the only goal of the game 13:43 into the first period to lead Castleton State to a 1-0 win over Salve Regina University in Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Women's East action Saturday afternoon at St. George's Rink.

Senior Lauren Szwed (White Lake, Mich.) picked up the only assist on the goal that moves the Spartans to 5-7-2 on the season and 3-5-1 in the ECAC. The win also snapped a two-game losing streak to the Seahawks and evened the all-time series mark at six. Sophomore Ali Muehlbronner (Glenside, Pa.) made 23 saves for the Seahawks, who fell to 6-9-3 (5-4-1 ECAC).

Castleton State entered the game with one win in its last seven outings and was blanked by New England College the last time it took the ice. The Seahawks took control of the game early and finished the game with a 48-24 edge in shots - including 35-16 in the final two periods - but were stymied by Dembrowski all afternoon.

Salve Regina went 0-for-8 on the power play and ended the game with a two-man advantage following a pair of late-game penalties by the visitors. With Muehlbronner on the bench to give the Seahawks a 6-on-3 advantage for the final 52 seconds, the Seahawks fired five shots on goal, none of which found the back of the net.

"We could have played until Tuesday and not scored on Dembrowski," said Seahawks head coach Michael Cox. "She's a great goaltender playing above her head, and that's never good for us. We came out flat, and we can't afford to have any letdown games like this."

The Spartans goal was helped in by an SRU skater. Szwed won a faceoff to the right of Muehlbronner and sent the puck to Hulbert at the point. She wristed a shot that deflected off an SRU skater and dribbled in for her second of the season.

Dembrowski did the rest to improve to 2-3-1 on the season. Muehlbronner, meanwhile, fell to 4-5-0 with the loss. Castleton was also held scoreless with the man advantage, going 0-for-6.

The Seahawks return to action on Saturday when they travel to Worcester, Mass. to face Holy Cross at 1 p.m. The Spartans head north to play the Crusaders tomorrow at 2 p.m.