Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University women's ice hockey team defeated Castleton University 2-1 in New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) action for its ninh straight victory on Friday night at Kreitzberg Arena.
Sophomore Maki Shuchuk (Madison, Wis.) and freshman Bryn Labbe (Calgary, Alberta) each scored goals, while junior goalie Celeste Robert (Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec) made 14 saves to lead the Cadets to the victory.
Norwich (18-6-0, 15-1-0 NEHC) finally broke the scoreless deadlock at the 3:12 mark of the second period with sophomore Shuchuk scoring her fourth goal of the season and second in as many games to put the Cadets up 1-0.
Sophomore Muranda Toews (Grand Prairie, Alberta) created the play by deking around a Castleton defender and getting a wrist shot off that Castleton goalie Jess Cameron made an initial save on. However, she couldn't control the rebound and the puck was lying to her left as she was sprawled out in the crease. Shuchuk was the first to spot the puck and tapped it over the goal line.
Norwich added to its lead at the 13:47 mark of the second period with Bryn Labbe (Calgary, Alberta) scoring her team-leading 13th goal of the season with a shorthanded tally. Labbe capitalized on a Castleton player losing an edge along the boards setting her off on a race with the other defender.
Labbe skated in from the right wing and snapped a wrist shot top shelf over Cameron's glove to make it 2-0 Cadets. Senior defenseman Taylor Cross (Saugus, Mass.) picked up the assist on the goal.
Castleton (15-7-2, 10-5-1 NEHC) responded at the 14:56 mark of the second period with Taylor Steadman knocking home a rebound in front of the net after NU junior goalie Celeste Robert (Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec) made an initial save on a shot from the point by Hannah Wright. Sabrina Hosner picked up the second assist after making a point-to-point pass to Wright.
The Cadets will look to clinch their sixth straight NEHC regular season title on Saturday at 3 p.m. when it takes on second place Holy Cross at Kreitzberg Arena.
