RUTLAND, Vt. — Kimberly Gosselin provided the winning margin, scoring at 1:44 of the third period to give the University of New England women’s ice hockey team a 2-1 victory over Castleton University in New England Hockey Conference action Friday afternoon (Feb. 12) at Spartan Arena.

The win as the first-ever for the Nor’easters (12-7-2, 7-6-1 NEHC) over the Spartans (9-4-1), who are slotted eighth in the most recent D3Hockey.com national poll and 10th in the United States College Hockey Online (USCHO) ranking.

Gosselin, who transferred to UNE from Castleton in 2015, tallied the game-winner on a lofted shot from the left face-off circle. Gosselin’s goal was set-up by Shannon Reynolds.

After the two teams played a scoreless first period, the Spartans grabbed a 1-0 lead 3:45 into the middle period when Lisa Kilroy scored on the power play. UNE goaltender Sydney Helmbrecht knocked down a shot from the left point by Hannah Rose, but Kilroy was on the spot to sweep in the rebound.

The Nor’easters tied the game late in the second on a goal by Shannon Smith at the 16:35 mark. Carly Perreault slid a pass across the top of the crease to Smith, who went top shelf for her sixth marker of the season. Gabby Crugnale had a secondary assist.

Castleton pulled goaltender Jess Cameron with 1:25 remaining in the contest but was unable to score the equalizer despite putting four shots on target.

Helmbrecht had 33 saves for the Nor’easters, who held a slim margin (37- 34) in shots on goal. Cameron finished with 35 stops for the Spartans.

UNE will conclude its road trip today, facing No. 8/7 Norwich University.

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