CASTLETON, VT- The Utica College women's hockey team dropped a 2-1 decision Friday night to host Castleton University in non-conference play.
 
In the Pioneers' first game action in almost a full calendar year, Utica got off to a slow start, allowing a goal just 48 seconds into the game when Kaitlin Bardellini found the back of the net off assists from Riley Nichols and Ali Stevens.
 
The Pioneers responded at 7:34 of the first as freshman Carly Stefanini (Framingham, MA/Brooks School) netter her first collegiate goal for tie the score at one.  Classmate Nicole Flak (Middleton, MA/Boston Shamrocks) picked up her first career assist on the play.
 
The Spartans scored the eventual game-winner at 9:15 of the second as Darby Palisi put in a power play tally for her first of the year.  Nichols and Emily Harris were credited with assists on the go-ahead goal. 
 
Utica out shot the home team 28-20 on the day, including a 14-7 ledger in the second, but had little to show for it. 
 
Junior Savannah Gutierrez (Huntington Beach, CA/Anaheim Lady Ducks) finished with 18 saves in net for the Pioneers, while her counterpart, Katlyn Hathaway made 27 stops for Castleton.  The two teams meet again Saturday as they wrap up the weekend series in Utica.  Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Adirondack Bank Center.