CASTLETON, Vt. - Courtney Nolan (Spring Lake Heights, N.J.) scored one goal and had one assist as Castleton State College won a pivotal North Atlantic Conference (NAC) match-up over Thomas College 4-1 at Spartan Stadium Saturday afternoon.

With the win Castleton improves to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while Thomas falls to 4-8, 2-3.

Nolan served a corner in the fourth minute of play to Sarah Flore (Springfield, Vt.) at the point, and Flore ripped home her 12th goal of the season for an early 1-0 lead. Rachel Preusser (Craryville, N.Y.) pushed the lead to 2-0 10 minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball and depositing in the back of the cage. Kealy Chipman (Bellows Falls, Vt.) sent a shot in from the right flank that was turned away by Terrier goalie Megan Denby (Copiague, N.Y.), but right to Preusser who sent home her 11th goal of the season.

Thomas broke through for a marker with just over five minutes remaining in the first half, as Ali Kriegel (Winslow, Maine) scored from just inside the striking circle. Castleton goalie Siobhan Whittemore (Springfield, Vt.) came out of the cage to clear a centering pass, but kicked it right to Kriegel who scored from straight on.

Nolan tallied her eighth goal of the season 12 minutes into the second half, and Blake Wardwell (Woodstock, Vt.) with 13 minutes remaining for the final margin of victory.

Denby stopped 11 shots as Castleton out-shot the Terrier 20-2 and held a 14-1 advantage in penalty corners.

Both teams continue their conference schedule tomorrow afternoon, with the Terriers traveling to Rivier for a 3:00 p.m. start and Castleton playing host to University of Maine Farmington at 12 noon. Farmington currently stands at 4-1 in conference play.