KEENE, N.H. – The Keene State College women's hockey team hosted the University of Vermont State Castleton on Wednesday night for the Owls' final home game of their inaugural season, looking to avenge their 7-1 loss to the Spartans earlier in the season. After a scoreless first period, the Spartans' two goals in the second period proved to be the difference as they took down KSC, 3-1.

Records

• Keene State: 13-9-0
• Vermont State Castleton: 6-11-1

Postgame Interview (Coach Morgan)

How it Happened
Both goaltenders made a few saves apiece over the opening eight minutes of the game, as Ai Chung made five saves for KSC and Gianna McCusker made six saves in net for Castleton. The Spartans continued the attack over the next eight minutes of the game, forcing Chung to make five more saves in goal. In the final stretch of 2:24 of the period, McCusker made four saves in net for Castleton, including a pair of saved in the final minute, to keep the game scoreless heading into the second period.
 
The Spartans continued to apply the pressure in the beginning of the second period, as Chung was forced to make six saves in the opening six minutes of the period. 6:33 into the second, Castleton had their first power play opportunity of the game, but KSC was easily able to kill it off, allowing just one shot on goal, as Ava Iantosca and Rory Owens helped lock down the Spartans with a blocked shot apiece. When play returned to even strength, Castleton continued to be on the attack, but after six saves from Chung over a two-minute span, Castleton was finally able to sneak a shot past her, as Mikayla Brightman put the Spartans up 1-0, 12:19 into the second. KSC tried to draw even over the next few minutes, but McCusker made three saves in goal to preserve the lead, and eventually led to Brooke Noble putting Castleton up by two with a goal, 3:37 after Brightman's goal. The Owls tried to pull within a goal over the next two minutes, but McCusker made three saves to hold onto the lead. With one minute left in the period, Castleton was called for a penalty, but KSC was unable to capitalize on it in the final minute in the period, and they carried it over to the third period for one more minute of 5-on-4.
 
Although the Owls were unable to capitalize on the one minute of the extra-skater advantage, shortly after Paige Henault won a faceoff for KSC, Ellie Patrick scored an unassisted goal 1:53 into the third to pull the Owls within a goal. 4:10 into the third, Castleton had an opportunity to add another goal with another power play, but Chung saved the only shot on goal over the two minutes to kill the penalty off for the Owls. Castleton continued to apply the pressure over the next six minutes in the offensive zone, but Chung made three saves and the Owls' defense blocked four shots to do their part in limiting the Spartans from scoring an insurance goal. Both goaltenders made three saves apiece over the next six minutes, as the clock had 1:34 left in regulation and the Owls called a timeout to try to regroup and catch their breath to make one last push. Iantosca won the ensuing faceoff for the Owls, as the team then pulled Chung for the extra skater, but KSC was unable to take advantage of it, as they did not get a shot on target for the rest of regulation. After turning the puck over a few times, Haylee Owen did what she could on defense for KSC, blocking a pair of shots on the open net, but Ellie Schliebener was able to score an empty netter with 16 seconds left to give Castleton the 3-1 win over KSC.
 
Inside the Crease

• Chung made 33 saves in net for the Owls, while McCusker made 23 for the Spartans.
• KSC had the slight advantage on faceoffs, going 21-for-41 (51.2%), with Iantosca leading the way going 10-for-16 (62.5%) for KSC.
• The Owls' defense blocked 19 shots in the game, with Patrick and Emma Wiseman recording four apiece, while Caroline Demeo was close behind with three.
• KSC continued their streak with minimal penalties, compared with earlier in the season, as just two penalties were called on the Owls on the day.

Up Next
The Owls next play on Tuesday, February 4, at 4:00 pm at Plymouth State University, as KSC will look to take the season series against the Panthers after splitting the first two matchups.
Castleton next plays at home against Salem State University on Friday, January 31, at 4:00 PM.