Video Highlights by Tanner Acebo, NU Sports Information

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University women's ice hockey team won its fourth straight Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) East Tournament title with a 1-0 win over Castleton State on Sunday afternoon at Kreitzberg Arena.

Senior captain Vanessa Champagne (Saint Nazaire, Quebec) scored the game's only goal at the 3:46 mark of the second period en route to earning Most Valuable Player honors and punching the Cadets' ticket to their seventh straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Sophomore Celeste Robert (Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec) was magnificent in goal for the Cadets, stopping all 25 shots she faced to earn her fifth shutout of the season and improve to 11-2-1 overall.

Norwich (21-4-3, 15-0-2 ECAC East) won sixth ECAC East Tournament title in the last seven seasons with the victory and its second straight over Castleton. The Cadets also beat the Spartans 4-0 in last year's title game.

After a scoreless first period where Castleton (14-12-2, 7-8-2 ECAC East) dominated for large portions, NU took advantage of a power play opportunity with what would prove to be the difference in the game.

Castleton's Hannah Rose was whistled for a tripping penalty just over three minutes into the middle frame. Norwich wasted little time capitalizing as freshman Sarah Schwenzfeier (Hingham, Mass.) won a faceoff back to junior defenseman Madison Gallagher (Kirkland, Quebec) at the point.

Gallagher slid a pass down to Champagne in the right faceoff circle and the senior captain promptly turned and fired a wrist shot that beat Castleton sophomore goalie Jess Cameron under the right pad for her fifth goal of the season.

That goal stood up for the remainder of the game thanks to Robert's stout performance between the pipes and a solid team defensive effort over the final two periods.

Castleton through everything they had at the Cadets in the third period, outshooting Norwich 11-7. However, NU stood tall, even when Castleton pulled Cameron in favor of the extra skater for the final minute.

Norwich's Robert, Kaycie Anderson (Maple Plain, Minn.) and Taylor Cross (Saugus, Mass.) were named to the All-Tournament squad. Castleton's Molly Howard and Hannah Rose rounded out the selections.

Norwich will now await word on where and who it will play in the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals. The NCAA selection show is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday morning and you can watch it on www.ncaasports.com.

-CADETS-