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            RUTLAND, Vt. -- Sophomore Katharyn Dembowski (Elkridge, Md.) stopped 41 of 42 shots to backstop Castleton State College to a 2-1 victory over the University of Southern Maine Saturday afternoon in an ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) Women's East game at Spartan Arena.

            The win extends the Spartans unbeaten string to three (2-0-1) and lifts their record to 3-2-1 overall, 2-1-1 in league play.  The Huskies, winless in their last four (0-3-1), slide to 1-3-1 overall and in the league.

            Dembowski kept the game scoreless until midway into the second period as the Huskies poured the shots on goal.  The Huskies out shot the Spartans, 16-5, in each of the first two periods, but only junior Katie Paradis (Rochester, N.H.) was able to put the puck past Dembowski.  Paradis tallied a power-play goal at 8:23 of the middle period while the Huskies enjoyed a two-skater advantage.  Junior Lauren Whiting (Hampton, N.H.) collected the lone assist.

            Sophomore Hanna Martini (Fayston, Vt.) tied the score at 18:43 of the second period with a power-play marker, set up by classmate Nicole Ruman (Riverside, Calif.) and senior Laura Szwed (White Lake, Mich.).

            Junior Kaitlin Hayes (Burlington, Vt.) scored an unassisted goal at 11:58 of the final period to give the Spartans the victory.

            Playing with the goalie out in favor of the extra attacker, Southern Maine kept the pressure on Dembowski in the final minute, but was unable to force the game into overtime.  USM's best chance came in the final seconds, but Dembowski got a pad to the shot of sophomore Kailey Bubier (Auburn, Maine), and the rebound was kicked away to preserve the win.

            USM rookie goaltender Jordan Lee (Colorado Springs, Colo.) finished the game with 21 saves.

            Southern Maine is back in action on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.) traveling to in-state rival Colby College for a non-conference game.  Castleton State is off until December 3 when it travels to Manhattanville College.

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