Castleton, Vt. - Castleton fended off conference foe University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) and came away with a 5-3 victory on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans were led by a balanced offensive attack and solid defensive performance by the entire squad to stay undefeated in the North Atlantic Conference (6-0).

Castleton struck first with a quick goal in the fourth minute from Mercedes Maltbie (Warrensburg, N.Y.). Maltbie beat a defender and fired on net, sliding it past UMF goalie Felisha Taylor (Chelsea, Maine), giving the Spartans a 1-0 lead.

Me.-Farmington quickly answered with a goal in the 14th minute. Lily Barry (Hermon, Maine) received a pass from Meghan Hughes (Pittsfield, Maine) and ripped a shot past Spartan goalkeeper Jess Galatioto (Queensbury, N.Y.).

The Spartans regained the lead at the 17-minute mark. NAC leading scorer Kealy Chipman (Bellows Falls, Vt.) collected a rebound off the goaltender's pads and smashed it into the back of the net, giving Castleton the 2-1 lead.

In the 28th minute, the Spartans earned a penalty corner and converted a set play for their third goal of the game. Rachel Preusser (Craryville, N.Y.) took the corner, passing it to Maltbie, who slipped it back to Preusser for the score.

Seconds before the halftime whistle Castleton added to their lead. Chipman found herself in the right place at the right time, collecting a loose ball inside the circle and firing it past the Beavers' keeper.

In the second half, UMF opened the scoring in the 50th minute with a barrage of shots on net. Galatioto saved the first two shots, but the third slipped past her and Barry finished it off for her second tally of the game.

Castleton answered with a goal of its own two minutes later. Brandi Whittemore lifted a back-handed shot in the top half of the netting, giving the Spartans a 5-2 lead with 18 minutes left in regulation.

UMF continued their offensive pressure and scored late to close the gap. Midfielder Chelsea Morley lifted a shot from the top of the circle that snuck past Galtioto and into the net. The tally made the score 5-3 but that was as close as the Beavers would get.

Galatioto finished the game with 13 saves and improved her season record to 11-1. Taylor took the loss for the Beavers, allowing four goals and making five saves.

The Spartans return to action Sunday, October 14 playing host to Thomas College.