CASTLETON, Vt. – The Spartans needed just 54 seconds to take a lead on Saturday and they didn't look back on the way to their highest scoring output of the season in a 8-3 victory over New England College on senior night at Spartan Stadium. 

Castleton got strong performances from all three of its seniors, but none more visible than Kristy Pinkham's goal just 54 seconds into the game to give her team a 1-0 lead and help the Spartans earn their first win of the year. Pinkham finished with a pair of goals in the game to lead the offense. 

Pinkham's rip from just inside the top of the shooting circle made it 1-0 and at 4:01 Briana Bocelli added to the lead. The freshman received a pass from Anna-Michelle Fabian and finished it in the bottom corner of the cage. 

Just 45 seconds later, sophomore Haley Spittle got in on the action, dribbling the ball into the shooting circle before firing it into the back of the cage for the 3-0 advantage. 

The offense kept rolling in the 12th minute as Fabian scored an unassisted goal. The freshman gathered the ball in the circle before finishing her fifth goal of the season. 

In the 27th minute senior Karissa McCoy notched her first career score. From the far side of the field, just inside the shooting circle she ripped it past the goalie to push the lead to 5-0. 

Castleton continued the offense in the second half on an impressive effort from Sierra Galusha. The sophomore ran around and past the defense from midfield into the shooting circle before firing it to the back of the cage. 

Emily Hudson pushed the Spartan lead to 7-0 in the 53rd minute off a feed from Cassidy Auger right in front. 

New England College got on the board a minute later on a goal by Patricia Wright and then cut the Castleton advantage to 7-2 in the 62nd minute on a score from Carissa O'Brien. 

Pinkham kept pushing and recorded her second goal of the game with just 2:25 left, winding up on a shot from just inside the shooting circle that flew past the defense and the goalie for the 8-2 lead. 

Kayla Donahue provided the final margin by scoring in the midst of a scrum right in front of the net with just four seconds remaining. 

Senior Jess Galatioto was strong in net, allowing three goals and making seven saves to earn the win. Karlie Bove, meanwhile, finished with 20 saves in taking the loss. 

Castleton returns to action on Wednesday when its hosts No. 8 Amherst at 7 pm.