CASTLETON, Vt. - The Spartans broke open a tied contest behind a late scoring barrage, ending Plymouth St.'s four-game winning streak with a 4-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.

Senior Mercedes Maltbie (Warrensburg, N.Y.) netted the eventual game-winner with just 3:47 remaining, giving Castleton a 2-1 advantage. Two more goals in the final two minutes provided the 4-1 final.

The Spartans out-shot Plymouth St. 29-17 in the contest and produced five more penalty corners as well (15-10). Junior Rachel Preusser (Craryville, N.Y.) finished with a goal and two assists for the offense while senior Kealy Chipman (Bellows Falls, Vt.) had a goal and one assist.

In the first half, Castleton struck at the 13-minute mark to take a 1-0 lead. Chipman received the ball on the wing after a scramble in the crease and was able to slide the ball across the face of the goal to Blake Wardwell (Bridgewater, Vt.). Wardwell fired a one-time shot into the back of the net, beating Plymouth goalkeeper Hilary Lemelin (Milan, N.H.) and propelling the Spartans to an early lead.

The score remained 1-0 until the 61st minute, when Lauren Carroll (Rollinsford, N.H.) netted the equalizer. The junior collected the ball amidst traffic right in front of the net and got a shot behind Spartan goalie Jessica Galatioto (Queensbury, N.Y.).

Preusser and Maltbie then connected on a penalty corner, as the senior received Preusser's pass at the top of the penalty circle and ripped a shot into the back of the cage.

Just over two minutes later, sophomore Kristy Pinkham (Brandon, Vt.) found Preusser with a nice cross to the far side of the net that she tapped in for her fifth goal of the season.

Chipman concluded the scoring with five seconds remaining off a pass from Preusser.

Galatioto was impressive in net once again, stopping ten of the 11 shots which were on net, while Lemelin recorded 13 saves for Plymouth St.

The Spartans return to action on Wednesday when they travel to face New England College at 4 p.m.