NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich women's hockey
team got off to a great start on Saturday night, opening its
inaugural varsity season with a 3-1 victory over visiting Castleton
State on Friday evening at Kreitzberg Arena.
Sophie Leclerc scored two power play goals, including the
game-winner in the second period, and Annie DiVito scored a goal
and added an assist all during a three-goal second period to
provide all the offense needed.
Following a scoreless first period, Castleton State (1-2-0)
jumped in front 1-0 when Kate Gray scored an unassisted goal at the
5:32 mark.
Less than two minutes later, Norwich (1-0-0) evened the score at
1-1 when DiVito scooped up the puck deep in Castleton State's end
and beat the Spartans' goaltender for a short-handed tally at the
7:31 mark. The goal will go down in history as the first scored by
the Cadets as a varsity program.
At the 14:44 mark, Leclerc netted her first marker of the game
off an assist from Amanda Gage. The junior from nearby Barre, Vt.,
added an insurance goal at the 18:57 mark of the second period when
she banged home a rebound shot off an assist from DiVito.
The two-goal cushion was more than enough for Norwich freshman
goaltender Cindy Fortin, who turned away 26 of the 27 shots that
she faced to earn the win between the pipes.
Norwich outshot Castleton State, 33-27, including a 14-11 edge
in the decisive second period.
The Cadets will return to the home ice of Kreitzberg Arena for
an exhibition game versus Rhode Island on Sunday, Nov. 11, with
faceoff slated for 3 p.m. NU will begin ECAC East play next
Saturday, Nov. 17, with a 6 p.m. game at Plymouth State.
