Spartans edge Seahawks 2-1

RUTLAND, Vt. – Lisa Kilroy's early third-period goal pushed the Castleton University women's ice hockey team past the visiting Salve Regina Seahawks, 2-1, during 'Pink the Rink' night on Friday evening.

Following an early stalemate, the teams scored three goals during the final two periods, capped by Kilroy's deflection. With less than 15 minutes remaining on the clock, Casey Traill ripped the puck from the back right, slightly inside the blue line. In front of the goal, Kilroy caught a piece of the puck and directed into the back of the twine.

Putting Castleton ahead for good, Kilroy notched her eighth score of the year, while Traill earned her fourth assist.

Beginning the scoring for the Spartans was Jade Remillard, who in the second period benefitted from a saved Jocelyn Forrest attempt. Near the right point, Remillard slapped the puck through the legs of a Salve Regina defender before finding the open net. The junior assistant captain tallied her second score of the year. Forrest (3) and Nicolle Trivino (1) each had assists on the goal.

Initially tying the score, Amanda Fantasia notched the lone Seahawk score. As Taylor Chisholm collected the puck on the left-side boards behind the goal, Gabi Hillner found her position behind the left point. Following a saved shot, Fantasia collected the loose puck and put it past a reaching goalie.

Making 22 saves, including eight in both the first and third periods, Castleton's Alexis Kalm earned the win to improve to 5-6 on the year. On the other side of the ice, Jennifer O'Connell made 14 saves in the loss.

Nearly splitting the faceoff battle, Castleton ended up with a six-win advantage, taking 31 of a possible 56 puck drops. Aimee Briand led the way with an impressive 21 wins against six losses.

Each side boasted a strong penalty kill during the contest as several players were sent to the sin bin. The Spartans stopped five of six Salve Regina opportunities, while the Seahawks blocked four of Castleton's five extra-man attempts.