BOSTON, Mass. - Perhaps feeling inspired by UMass Boston Men's Basketball breaking their losing skid on Thursday night, Women's Hockey broke a long drought of their own on Friday. The Beacons took a 2-0 lead in the second and held on to get back in the win column for the first time since November 18.

THE BASICS
UMass Boston 2, Vermont State University Castleton 1

UMass Boston (4-9-3, 3-4-2 LEC)
Vermont State University Castleton (5-9-2, 3-4-2 LEC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Beacons' strength has been defense all season, but they came out firing early on their home ice. UMass Boston attempted four shots before the Spartans attempted their first. 

With just over 12 and a half minutes to play, Victoria Bakopanos kept another UMass Boston shot out of the net, putting Katie Wilbert in the faceoff circle. Wilbert, who went on to win 10 of her 18 faceoffs, secured the puck and fed Allie Reifler an assist for the game's opening score. 

The Beacons gifted Castleton a power play to close out the period, but a Reifler block and a Leah Bosch save kept the score frozen at 1-0 after 20 minutes of play.

In the second period, the Beacons turned up the heat on offense even more. Of the 13 shots faced by Bakopanos, 12 found her glove. The difference-maker in the period and in the game came from the stick of Jenna Majewski. Sparked by a faceoff win and secondary assist by Emily Hansen, Margeux Butters set up Majewski's second career goal, the eventual game-winner.

The Spartans did keep the Beacons on their heels late, cutting the difference back to one with a score just outside of five minutes to play in the second. Bosch faced a barrage in the third, but held strong to save all 13 shots she faced.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Despite not scoring a goal this season, Wilbert is the team's leading point-scorer, registering her sixth assist on Friday
• The Beacons killed off all four of their power plays against Castleton
• Bosch recorded her 11th game this season with at least 20 saves
• After breaking their four-game losing streak against the Spartans with a tie in November, the Beacons have recorded their first home win over Castleton since the 2017-18 season

WHO'S NEXT
The Beacons will return to their home ice tomorrow, Saturday, January 13 to host the Panthers of Plymouth State University for a 3 PM puck drop.