The top-ranked Middlebury women's ice hockey team downed in-state foe Castleton 3-1 on Tuesday night. The Panthers extended their winning streak to 30-consecutive triumphs, a record dating back to the start of the 2021-22 season. Middlebury will travel to Plattsburgh, New York this weekend for the annual Panther/Cardinal Classic, a highly-selective tournament featuring a quartet of top-10 programs.
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Middlebury opened the scoring with 4:26 expired in the opening period when Cat Appleyard tipped the puck into the goal during a scramble on the doorstep. 
• Just over three minutes later, the Spartans knotted the contest 1-1. As their power play expired and a Panther was coming out of the penalty box, Castleton's Samantha Castleto Lawler one-timed a feed by Moa Carlsson. 
• The Panthers answered midway through the frame when Claudia Vira ripped a shot from the top of the left faceoff circle for the 2-1 edge.
• Middlebury had a great chance to score with roughly seven minutes elapsed in the middle period. An initial shot by Eva Hendrikson was blocked before a quick point-blank bid by Mollie Dalbey was denied by netminder Kirsten DiCiccio. 
• The Panthers fired 10 shots over the final two minutes of the period, but were unable to break through a tough Castleton defense. 
• The Spartans looked for the equalizer just seconds into the final frame. Julia Carpenter fired an attempt from the slot that goalie Sophia Merageas turned away. Emily Harris one-timed the rebound, but Merageas was there again to deny the chance.
• Middlebury made it 3-1 with 14:48 on the clock. Jenna Letterie intercepted a failed clearing attempt by Castleton on the left side. Letterie sent a pass to the high slot where Britt Nawrocki was waiting and rifled the puck inside the right pipe for the victory.

NOTES 

• The Panthers have won 21-straight contests in Kenyon Arena.