(With contributions from Castleton Sports Information)

Davis Makes 44 Saves for the Second Straight Game

            RUTLAND, Vt. -- Rookie Morgan Richard (West Yarmouth, Mass.) scored her second goal of the season with 14.6 seconds remaining in regulation to give the #8/#10-ranked Castleton University Spartans a 3-2 victory over the visiting University of Southern Maine Huskies in New England Hockey Conference action Saturday afternoon at Spartan Arena.

            The victory snapped a two-game losing skid for the Spartans and improved their record to 15-6-2 overall and 10-4-1 in NEHC play.  The Huskies lost for their second straight one-goal game to a nationally ranked team after falling to #7/#8 Norwich University last night 1-0.  The Huskies are now 3-17-2 overall and 2-13-2 in the league.

            With time winding down and overtime looming, Richard let a slap shot go through traffic that found its way past USM sophomore goalie Courtney Davis (Woburn, Mass.) for the winning goal.  Senior Anna Daniels (Falun, Sweden) picked up the lone assist.

            Castleton jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by junior Ally Brandland (Bellingham, Wash.) and sophomore Brianna Keats (Calgary, Alberta).  Brandland scored her second goal of the season at the 7:16 mark to put the home side up 1-0.  Keats netted a power-play goal at 17:09 to double the lead.

            The Huskies answered before the end of the period scoring twice within a span of 49 seconds.  Senior Cassandra Sherman (North Smithfield, R.I.) put USM on the board at 17:56 with her team-leading ninth goal of the season.  Juniors McKenna Russell (Stoughton, Mass.) and Olivia Barragree (Red Lodge, Mont.) picked up the assists.

            Sophomore Emilee Burris (Brookfield, N.S.) took advantage of a set-up from Sherman and junior Ally Vanidestine (Bangor, Maine) to score her fourth goal of the campaign at 18:45 and tie the game at 2-2.  The teams would play 41 scoreless minutes after the Burris goal before Richard's game winner.

            Davis was brilliant for the second straight game making 44 saves, including 28 in the third period.  Davis made 44 saves in the loss at Norwich Friday night.  Senior Jess Cameron (Mt. Ellick, PEI) made 21 saves to earn her 14th win of the season for Castleton.  The Spartans finished the game with a 47-23 advantage in shots on goal and were 1 for 2 on the power play.

            Southern Maine returns home to play its final non-conference game on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.) hosting Colby College at the USM Ice Arena.  Castleton will travel to in-state rival Norwich University on Friday (7:00 p.m.). 

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