(with contributions from Castleton State Sports Information)

            RUTLAND, Vt. -- The University of Southern Maine women's ice hockey team opened its 2014-15 season falling to Castleton State College, 5-0, in an ECAC Women's East match-up Friday evening at Spartan Arena.

            The win was the third straight for the Spartans, marking the first time in program history that the Spartans have opened the season with three straight wins.  The game was the league opener for both teams.

            Senior goalie Paula Stephens (Seattle, Wash.) earned her second straight shutout stopping all 13 shots she faced, and five different Spartan skaters found the net.

            After a scoreless first period, Castleton grabbed the lead for good at 5:54 of the middle period when junior Taylor Steadman (Hartford, Vt.) scored her first goal of the season converting from rookie Brianna Keats (Calgary, Alb.).  Less than four minutes later, sophomore Lisa Kilroy (Leominster, Mass.) doubled the advantage knocking in a rebound for her first marker of the campaign.  Keats finished off the three-goal Spartan blitz in a span of 6:26 with a power-play goal at 12:20.  Steadman and junior Rachel Bombardier (Pittsford, Vt.) picked up the assists.

            The Spartans tacked on two more goals in the third period.  With the Huskies pressing while on the power play, junior Anna Daniels (Falun, Sweden) would score a short-handed marker at 10:55.  Senior Molly Howard (Shelburne, Vt.) finished off the scoring with a goal at 16:19.

            Southern Maine senior goaltender Liz Bergstrom (Chanhassen, Minn.) stopped 20 shots in a losing effort.

            Southern Maine travels to Norwich University on Saturday (3:00 p.m.).  Castleton State hosts the University of New England on Saturday (3:00 p.m.). 

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