Seahawks downed by Spartans in OT, 3-2

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. – Junior Hannah Martini (Fayston, Vt.) scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the Castleton State women's ice hockey team defeated Salve Regina by a score of 3-2 in the quarterfinal round of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Women's East Championship tournament at St. George's Ice Rink on Saturday night. The Spartans improve to 10-13-2 overall with the win, while the Seahawks end their season with an 11-10-5 record.

The Seahawks took a 1-0 lead midway through the opening period when junior Caitlyn Farragher (Plymouth, Mass.) set up freshman Sarah Markey (Ashland, Mass.) for a power play goal.

The Spartans answered early in the second frame, as freshman Molly Howard (Shelburne, Vt.) tied the game at 1-1 on an even strength marker, assisted by senior Meagan Hulbert (Barre, Vt.) and junior Jade Werger (Maple Ridge, B.C.).

Castleton State grabbed their first lead of the game just 2:52 seconds into the third period when Werger and junior Eileen Coyne (Attelboro, Mass.) fed Hulbert for a power play score to go ahead, 2-1.

With under eight minutes remaining in the period, Salve Regina junior Rachel Porter (Franklin, Mass.) slapped home the game-tying goal to knot the score at 2-all. The goal was the 17^th of the season for Porter, setting a new single season program record for Salve Regina.

The Seahawks received a power play opportunity during the final minute of the third frame, but were unable to score before time expired, sending the game into overtime.

Salve Regina nearly scored off the faceoff in overtime, as Porter and Markey both had great scoring opportunities, but were turned away by Spartans freshman goalie Paula Stephens (Seattle, Wash.).

Just over five and a half minutes into the extra period, senior Kaitlin Hayes (Burlington, Vt.) took a slap shot that was saved by Simmons. However, the rebound kicked away and was wristed home by Martini for the game-winning score, lifting the Spartans to a 3-2 overtime victory.

Stephen earned the victory in net for the Spartans, stopping 38-0f-40 shots to improve to 5-4-2 during her rookie campaign, while senior Rebecca Simmons (Averill Park, N.Y.) took the tough loss in between the pipes for Salve Regina, falling to 8-8-2 on the year.