CASTLETON — The Middlebury women’s hockey team on Saturday wrapped up its first semester with a 5-2 win at Castleton (6-4-1). The Panthers, ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division III, improved to 5-2 and return to action at Elmira on Jan. 3.
Middlebury outshot the Spartans, 46-20, and struck 3:48 into the opening period when Emily Fluke notched her fifth goal of the year by converting Jessica Young’s feed from behind the net.
Less than 30 seconds later, the Panthers doubled their advantage when Anna Van Kula backhanded a rebound past Castleton’s Paula Stephens.
At 16:13 of the first, the Spartans got one back after a Panther turnover.
At 13:22 of the second, Maddie Winslow pushed the Panthers advantage back to a pair by converting a breakaway.
Middlebury’s Carly Watson scored from the point on a power play with 40 seconds remaining in the second stanza to make it 4-1.
Just over four minutes into the final frame, the Spartans made it 4-2. At 13:54, Victoria Laven’s second goal of the season gave Middlebury insurance.
Stephens stopped 41 shots in the game, while Madeleine Marsh made 18 saves for Middlebury.