HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's ice hockey team falls short on their senior day against the Spartans of Vermont State University Castleton on Saturday at Lee Clement Arena in Henniker, New Hampshire in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action.
 
THE BASICS
Score: Vermont State University Castleton 4, New England College 2
Records: Spartans 11-11-1, 7-8-1 NEHC | Pilgrims 2-20-0, 1-15-0 NEHC
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Things got off to a quick start for the Spartans only needing the first 5:28 of the first period to strike first. VTSU Castleton junior forward Moa Carlsson (Stockholm, Sweden) would advance her way into 'Grims territory skating around defenders resulting in finding the back of the net after receiving the puck from fifth year forward Alex Johnson (Andover, Mass.).
• The 'Grims were only able to keep things tame for a little over six minutes until the Spartans continued to keep the offense flowing as their efforts earned them another goal scored by sophomore forward Annika Nelson (Franklin Park, Ill.) which was assisted by junior forward Ellie Schliebener (Ottawa, Ont.). Pushing their lead out to two goals by the end of the first period.
• NEC did not waver and kept pushing forward once the second period commenced. At 14:32 freshman forward Angelina De Divitiis (St. Catherines, Ontario) provided the push that NEC needed to get back into this game. NEC freshman forward Jamie Blondin (Oakville, Ontario) made an excellent pass to De Divitiis at the center of the of the ice where she was bestowed the breakaway opportunity that led to her second goal of the season.
• Things didn't seem to phase the Spartans as they scored shortly after NEC as sophomore forward Taylor Adams (Frankford, Ont.) crept around the backside of the net. A pass came from senior defender Codi Bacon (Airdrie, Alberta) led to Adams connecting on a shot to the top right corner of the net for the third Spartan goal of the day.
• A sense of urgency was felt on the NEC side of things in the first 4:21 of the third period. NEC sophomore defender Mae Lafferty (South Boston, Mass.) would intercept a Spartans pass advancing herself into scoring territory where the sophomore let her hands free to fire a shot into the top right corner for the 'Grims second goal. The 'Grims would be behind by a goal thanks to the Lafferty contribution that gave the team the spark they were looking for.
• Unfortunately, VTSU Castleton would have an answer staying a step ahead of the 'Grims throughout the entirety of the game. The Spartans won a faceoff at 10:47 where the puck would be in possession of freshman forward Brooke Noble (Mississauga, Ont.) who made a run for it down the ice finding freshman forward Caris Erikson (Irma, Alberta) who was in front of the net and scored the final goal concluding senior day in favor of the Spartans, 4-2.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• NEC sophomore goaltender Lucy Armour (Falmouth, Mass.) recorded 40 saves on the day.
• VTSU Castleton Victoria Bakopanos (Kirkland, Que.) collected 20 stops.
• Shots on goal were  in favor of the Spartans, 44-22.
• The 'Grims had three power play opportunities to turn the tide in their favor but couldn't make the most of them.
• Both Lafferty and De Divitiis recorded their second goal of the season while sophomore forward Sofia Gualtieri (Montreal, Quebec) grabbed her second assist.

SENIOR DAY

• Prior to the game, the New England College women's ice hockey program and the NEC athletics department recognized this year's senior class as part of senior day. The class of junior forward Olivia Lindberg (Stockholm, Sweden), senior forward Mary High (Plymouth, Mass.), and senior defender Jessica Dutkus (Stafford, Va.) were honored by coaches, teammates, family members and fans for all of their accomplishments at NEC both on and off the field. Although their time with the program may be coming to an end, they will forever be a part of the 'Grims family.

UP NEXT

• NEC is back on the ice on Tuesday, February 11^th when they take on the Rams of Framingham State University from Loring Arena with puck drop set for 7:40 PM.
• VTSU Castleton's next game is against Elmira College on Friday, February 14^th at 6:00 PM from Spartan Arena.

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