$website.include("/sports/msoc/2014-15/videos/sedergrengoal")

CASTLETON, Vt. – No senior came up larger than 6-foot 2-inch Alex Sedergren on senior night, as he headed home the lone goal of the game just 6:55 into the contest and the defense did the rest, holding on for a 1-0 victory over Middlebury on Tuesday evening at Spartan Stadium.

With the win, Castleton improves to 7-8-1 on the season (4-2-1 NAC), while Middlebury picks up its first loss outside of conference play to fall to 7-3-3 overall (4-2-3 NESCAC). The victory also marks the first for the Spartans over the Panthers in program history.

Castleton took the lead on its first corner kick of the contest. Sophomore Alex McCormick sent the ball in from the far corner to the middle of the six. Sedergren elevated over the defender and headed the ball into the corner of the net for his first career goal to give the Spartans a 1-0 advantage.  

The Panthers had their best opportunity of the first half in the 22nd minute. Adam Glaser made a great run and received a through ball that he one-timed, but the bending shot went just wide of the net and out of bounds for a goal kick.

After break, Middlebury continued to push the ball forward and forced Castleton's defense onto their back heels. In the 58th minute, Greg Conrad headed a free kick towards goal, but Amir Pasic denied the effort with a diving save. 

With 11 minutes remaining, the Panthers forced Pasic into action once again when Andres Rodlauer sent a shot flying towards goal, but Castleton's keeper was able to record another save.

In the 84th minute, the ball was loose in front of the Spartans goal after a throw-in was tossed into the box, but no Middlebury player was able to connect with the ball before it was cleared out of play.

The Panthers had one more scoring opportunity in the 87th minute when Philip Skayne delivered a cross into the box, but a foul was called on the away side to end any chance for an equalizer.

In the 89th minute, Dameon Young broke free from the Middlebury backline and fired a bending shot towards goal, but the attempt went straight to the Panthers keeper, Greg Sydor, for an easy save.

Overall, the Spartans were outshot by their opponents 15-5 and took six less corner kicks in the contest. 

Pasic made his second career start in net for Castleton, producing four saves to notch his second win and first shutout of the season. For Middlebury, Sydor picked up his third loss of 2014 after making three saves in 90 minutes of action.

Castleton returns to action this weekend when they travel north to face Maine Maritime and Husson.