CASTLETON, Vt. – Keene St. scored an early second-half goal which proved to be the difference as the Spartans dropped a tough 2-1 decision to the Owls on Thursday night at Spartan Stadium.

Castleton was outshot 17-14 in the contest and each team finished with six corner kicks as the Spartans dropped to 7-3-1 on the season. Keene St. improves to 8-5 with the victory.

The Owls struck first, scoring just 9:58 into the contest. Hayley Kenyon (Exeter, R.I.) collected a bouncing ball at the near corner of the 18 and took one dribble before firing a shot that hooked into the upper near corner of the net, out of the reach of Kaleigh Newton (Morrisville, Vt.).

In the 13th minute, Keene St. nearly added to their lead. Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) dribbled the ball into the 18 and Newton charged. She slipped the ball past Newton, but Ericka Davis (Cambridge, Vt.) made a sliding stop on the goal line, kicking the ball out of bounds.

Castleton pushed the issue in the final minutes and was rewarded with just 56 seconds remaining in the half. Senior Sarah Ethier (Portsmouth, R.I.) fired a lead pass to Mallory Costello (Vernon, N.J.) from 40 yards out. Costello received the ball at the middle of the 18 and put a quick touch under the arms of the sliding goalie into the far corner of the net.

The Owls came out aggressive in the second and were rewarded just 2:24 into the half. After a Spartan turnover in the box, Beverly Cole (Madbury, N.H.) got a foot on the ball and fired a shot past Newton before she could react.

Both teams had chances in the final ten minutes, but neither could covert.

Newton finished the evening with three saves in net while Victoria Crenson (North Salem, N.Y.) earned the win with six stops.

Castleton returns to action on Saturday at 3:30 pm, hosting the University of Maine at Farmington.