Castleton

Spartans

Erin Zapata '06 was one of the best defenders to ever step onto the pitch for Castleton. During her four seasons with the Spartans, the three-year captain and two-time team MVP played in all 84 matches and helped Castleton compile a 52-27-5 (.649) record. As a freshman, Zapata played in all 20 games, participating in five shutouts and earning an assist during the season. In 2003, she once again appeared in every game for the Spartans, collecting two assists during the year. Besides team MVP, she was also named Second Team All-NAC in helping Castleton post an overall record of 15-5-1 with eight shutouts, including 10-1-1 over the last 12 matches in which Zapata and her teammates allowed just eight goals. In 2004, the Spartans went 9-2-1 in conference play and 16-4-1 overall with 10 shutouts, including the first eight matches of the season in which the team did not allow a single goal. In her senior season, Zapata was named team MVP and First Team All-NAC as the Spartans won the regular season NAC title with a 9-1-1 mark. Castleton allowed just one goal in three matches to win the 2005 NAC Tournament for its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth, with Zapata earning Tournament MVP honors. Overall, Castleton posted a 15-5-2 record and shut out nine opponents during the 2005 season. Zapata, married with two children, has become a licensed social work professional, specializing in helping adults with mental health issues, and is currently a home care medical social worker. She has also remained involved in soccer as a youth club coach as well as playing in adult leagues when she can.