DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Backed by four first half goals, Vermont State University Castleton posted a Little East Conference victory over UMass Dartmouth on Saturday afternoon. The Spartans move to 7-8 overall and 3-2 in conference with the 4-0 win, while the Corsairs slip to 2-15 and 0-5 in the LEC.
VTSU Castleton opened the game's scoring at 2:56 of the first as Emilee Higgins banked one past the reach of Corsairs goalie
Shane Cueman. The visitors added another tally at 13:24 of the first as Caitlin Connolly buried a feed from Brooke Noble for the 2-0 advantage after the opening 15 minutes.
In the second quarter, Genevieve Pitts made it a 3-0 contest at 16:53, converting a pass from Jess Smithson. It was Smithson that gave the Spartans the 4-0 lead less than two minutes later, putting home a pass from Madison Gile at 18:15. The Corsairs worked to get onto the scoreboard late as a shot by junior forward
Sam King was turned aside by VTSU Castleton goalie Zoe Martin at 27:54.
The Corsairs continued to work into the third quarter, seeing several opportunities to get back into the contest. Sophomore forward
Arlene Johnson started the flurry for UMD at 35:15, forcing Martin to make a quick save before rookie defender
Amelia Keeler peppered the Spartans keeper four seconds later. A shot from junior midfielder
Brooke Lydon was blocked away.
In goal, Martin earned the victory, recording four stops for the Spartans. Cueman suffered the loss, posting 24 saves for the Corsairs.
UMass Dartmouth returns to action on Thursday when it hosts Nichols College in non-conference action on Cressy Field. Game time is set for 7pm. The Corsairs conclude the regular season on November 1 in a 1pm LEC match at Eastern Connecticut State University.
