January 19, 2007

Castleton takes winning ways on the road, defeats Hamilton 5-3

Clinton, NY-Steve Culbertson scored two goals in the third period to lead visiting Castleton State College to a 5-3 win against Hamilton College in a NESCAC/ECAC East crossover played at Sage Rink on Jan. 19.

Castleton State (9-3-3 overall, 5-2-3 ECAC East) won its fourth straight game. The Spartans trailed 3-2 after two periods. Brandon Heck scored the tying goal and assisted on the game-winner in the third. Both Culbertson and Heck lead Castleton State with 10 goals this season.

Travis Blood scored his fourth goal this season and assisted on another for Hamilton. The Continentals (3-9-1, 3-6-1 NESCAC) have lost nine straight games. Kyle Roulston was credited with two assists and now has eight this season.

Steve Smiddy gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead at the 4:09 mark of the first period. Hamilton countered with three goals in the second period. Jerome Wallace tied the score at 1-1 with a power play goal just 1:21 into the second. Blood followed with a short-handed tally at the 6:45 mark to put the Continentals in front 2-1. Travis Martell '08 drew Castleton State even on a power play goal with 7:37 left. However, Hamilton regained the lead on the first goal of the season for Brian O'Malley with 2:46 remaining.

Heck tied the score again with an unassisted goal 2:29 into the third after the Continentals turned the puck over in their defensive zone. Culbertson put the Spartans ahead for good at the 10:20 mark and added an insurance goal on the power play with 2:37 left.

Castleton is back in action tomorrow at nationally ranked No. 14 Amherst while Hamilton hosts nationally ranked No. 13 Skidmore College for another crossover contest on Saturday, Jan. 20, at 3 p.m. [Box Score]

###Spartans###