Castleton, Vt. - Castleton got back to its winning ways on Tuesday, Sept. 24 downing the Johnson State Badgers 5-1 in North Atlantic Conference men's soccer action at Spartan Stadium.

Four different Spartans scored as Castleton dispatched the Badgers in what was the eighth consecutive victory for the Spartans over Johnson St.  

Castleton got on the board with a goal in the fifth minute of play. Dameon Young lofted a ball over the Badgers' back line where Bryce Kaler sprinted onto it. Kaler beat the approaching goalkeeper to the ball and flicked it over his head into the Johnson net to put the Spartans up 1-0. 

The Spartans followed up with a second goal in the 29th minute when Justin Hepburn found the net off a scrum in front. The junior defender came up on an attacking bid and cleaned up a rebound that delfected out to the 18-yard line.

In the 37th minute, Castleton struck again to extend its lead to 3-0 on a blistering shot from Blake Hart that found the side netting. Two minutes later, John Kendall added to the tally to give the Spartans a 4-0 lead going into the halftime break.

Despite constant pressure from the Spartans, the Badgers stayed resilient and cashed in during the 68th minute. Keegan Hanlon lofted a shot from 45 yards out that sailed over the head of Spartan goalkeeper Nate Koenemann and into the net, reducing the Castleton lead to 4-1.

With just over three minutes remaining, the Castleton offensive pressure forced the Badgers into a misplay in the back that resulted in an own goal, extending the Spartan lead to 5-1.

Koenemann faced just one other shot on goal for his lone save in the victory, while Johnson St. starting goalie Ryan Belen made five saves before being switched out at halftime in favor of Sam Martin, who made three saves in the final frame.

Castleton improves to 4-2-1 on the season, and 1-1-0 in the North Atlantic Conference. The Spartans will return to action on Saturday when they host Maine Maritime at 1 pm.