Spartans Hand Vikings 5-1 Loss

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

RUTLAND, Vt. --  Taylor Adams (Sherwood, P.E.I) scored a goal and added an assist to help give Castleton University a  5-1 victory over Salem State in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action on Friday night at Spartan Arena. The Spartans improved 4-4-1, 3-1-1 while the Vikings dropped to 2-8-0, 1-4.  

Prior to the game, coach Kizzie talked about what it would take to beat Castleton. "We need a lot of energy and communication. We are going to need some of intensity out there… and make sure we have a strong start." Prior to the game, Aislinn Bennett (Milford, Mass.), expressed how important the first period would be. "Obviously the first shift is important. Gain the momentum of the game and do what we have been doing all week at practice and hopefully that momentum flows throughout the rest of the game."  

In the opening minutes of the first period, Castleton took charge with a series of five shots on goal, aggressively attacking the Vikings' zone. However, Salem State put up a strong defense, skillfully intercepting the Spartans' puck and limiting their offensive efforts. Lexi Warner (Littletown, Ma.) made an attempt to score, making a shot towards the right side of the goal. Unfortunately, Kara Boassaly (Ottawa, Ontario) of the Spartans managed to block her attempt. 

However, it was the Spartans who struck first, capitalizing on their power play opportunity when the Vikings' Isabella Perrotti (Winthrop, Mass.) was penalized for tripping. Emily Harris (Crondall, England) passed the puck to Meg Aiken (Sherwood, P.E.I) , who made a successful shot towards the right side of the goal, scoring for the Spartans. The time of the goal was 17:21 during the period, with Harris and Victoria Grifin (Flowe Mound, Texas.)  receiving credit for the assists.

The second period of the game started with the Vikings' Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) making an incredible save on the right side of the net with her body on the ice.  A few minutes later, Castleton was on a power play with a five on four advantage. Despite the pressure, the Vikings managed to kill off the power play, which was highlighted by Azzato's impressive block. However, Vikings' Tea Miles (Northfield, Vt.) was sent to the penalty box for hooking, and just 58 seconds later, Taylor Adams (Frankford, Ontario) was also penalized for interference, making it a four on four game. Both teams successfully killed off these penalties, and the teams resumed at full strength.

Adams sprinted towards the left side of the net and managed to beat Hollingsworth with a shot, scoring a goal for Castleton at the 11:53 mark. Eva Hofmeister was credited with the assist. The Vikings went into the locker room trailing 2-0, with only twenty minutes left to play.

Throughout the first two periods, Hollingsworth saved 15 out of the 17 shots , while Boassaly managed to save all 14 shots faced.

Coach Kizzie expressed what he saw from the girls throughout the first two periods. "I was pretty pleased with [the effort] on one hand and on the other hand a little frustrated because we gave them two easy goals… again we gave up two easy one's, but for the most part we did a good job establishing the zone working hard and being in their zone."

Unfortunately, the Spartans were able to capitalize as they scored twice in a span of 50 seconds. Alex Johnson (Andover, Mass.) scored the first then Amanda Vaughn (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) scored on an assist from Julia Carpenter (Plymouth, Mich.). Greene finally scored for Salem State from the right side of the net as she poked one in. The time of the goal was 18:46 of the third. Castleton added one more late in the game for a 5-1 final.   

Hollingsworth saved 24 of 29 shots on goal, while Boassaly saved 24 of 25 shots on goal. Salem State was unable to score on any of their three power play opportunities, while Castleton succeeded in scoring once out of their three opportunities.

Coach Kizzie expressed how the Vikings were going to bounce back after tonight's performance. "The challenge here is find the passion, find your urgency and your will to your compete before the game…."

Salem State has the opportunity to bounce back tomorrow afternoon, as they remain on the road to face the Plymouth State Panthers for a New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) game at 2:00 p.m.