Spartans Shutout Vikings on Senior Day 3-0

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

SALEM, Mass.- Amanda Vaughn (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) scored twice while Kristen Dicicco (Lowell, Mass.) saved all 29 shots to give Castleton State a 3-0 New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) shutout  over Salem State on Saturday afternoon at Rockett Arena. The Spartans improved to 9-12-2, 7-7-2 while the Vikings dropped to 5-16-2, 2-12-2.

Prior to the game, the Vikings honored four members of their senior class Brenna Greene (Methuen, Mass.), Lexi Warner (Littleton, Mass.), captain Deanna Bosco (North Andover, Mass.), Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) and four graduate students, Alexis Thomas (Barnstable, Mass.), Isabella Perrotti (Winthrop, Mass.), Catherine Lawrence (Guilford, Conn.) and alternative captain Jessica Robert (North Reading, Mass.) before the game for their dedication and commitment to the program.

Before the game had begun, Graycen Davin (Brookline, Mass.) was sent to the box for a protocol violation. Despite the penalty, Olivia Tednes (Elk Grove Village, IL.) and Scarlet Chatham (Dallas, Tx.) were both eager to score the first goal for the Vikings, putting pressure on Dicicco from the outset.

At one point, Greene even took a shot that was nearly a goal, which would have given the Vikings a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for Salem State, Dicicco of the Spartans made an impressive glove save to deny the goal.

Amanda Vaughn (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) of the Spartans scored the first goal of the game, giving her team a 1-0 lead at the 9:48 mark. 

At the end of the first period, Salem State was trailing by a single goal. However, the Vikings were determined to even the score in the second period, as they began with a power play that lasted into the first 58 seconds of the second. 

In the opening minutes of the second period, Castleton quickly took to the ice and wasted no time in making their move. Aiken managed to beat Hollingsworth with a shot from the left side at the 1:15 mark, making it 2-0 in favor of the Spartans.

Salem State had a five on four power play advantage when Victoria Griffen (Flower Mound, Tx.) was sent to the box for tripping at the 2:35 mark of the period. Unfortunately, the Vikings were unable to capitalize on this opportunity.

Castleton managed to score once again when they were on a two on one breakaway. Julia Carpenter (Plymouth, Mich.) passed the puck to Moa Carlson (Huddinge, Sweden) as Carlson was on the right side when she found Vaughn on the left side, who was able to beat Hollingsworth for the third goal of the game. Carlson and Carpenter were credited with the assists at the 8:24 mark.

Salem State's Warner was looking to put the Vikings on the board, but unfortunately, her shot was rejected by Dicicco. A few minutes later, Meghan Azzato (Falmouth, Mass.) was also looking to score on a breakaway. Salem State had multiple chances during the period to get on the board, but unfortunately, the puck did not find its way inside the net.

Throughout the first two periods, both teams combined were 0 for 7 on their power play chances, with Castleton State going 0 for 3 on their power play and Salem State going 0 for 4. In terms of faceoffs, the Spartans won 23 faceoffs, while the Vikings won 15. Throughout the first two periods, Hollingsworth saved 24 of 27 shots, while Dicicco was perfect, saving all 20 shots.

The Vikings found themselves down by a considerable margin of 3-0 as they entered the final 20 minutes of regulation. The third period saw both teams fiercely attacking each other's zones: Castleton was eager to extend their lead while Salem State was determined to put a goal on the scoreboard and make a comeback.

Celeste Scoppettuolo (Revere, Mass.) from Salem State made a valiant attempt to slam the puck home, but the shot was denied. As the game progressed, Hollingsworth from Salem State made a fantastic save, extending her full body onto the ice to prevent Castleton from adding to their lead.

The Spartans continued to dominate the game, hitting the post and coming close to scoring again, but Hollingsworth denied them once more.

Both teams having several opportunities on the power play, neither of them could capitalize. The combined power play stats for both teams were 0 for 9, with Salem State going 0 for 4 and Castleton State going 0 for 5. Hollingsworth made an impressive 40 saves out of 43 shots, while Dicicco from Castleton saved all 29 shots.

Salem State will be looking to bounce back on Friday February 9^th , which is their final road trip of the 2023-24 regular season. They will face the #8 ranked Norwich Cadets at Kreitzberg Arena with the puck dropping at 6 p.m.