Union, N.J. – Castleton held a 4-2 lead midway through the second quarter and was even at the half before host Kean turned it on in the second to finish with an 11-5 victory over the Spartans in the season-opener for both squads. 

A goal from senior Alex Green gave Castleton a 4-2 with 7:42 left in the second quarter but the Cougars scored the next six goals to take control and improve to 1-0 on the season. The Spartans, meanwhile, drop to 0-1. 

Kean owned a 36-25 shot advantage and caused 11 turnovers while Castleton turned it over a total of 19 times and managed just 17 shots on goal. Green finished the game with a goal and an assist while classmate Will Stuhler added two goals and two caused turnovers. Zach Devoid went 7-for-14 on face-offs and picked up six ground balls. 

Matt Speciale led the Cougar offense with an impressive six goals and one assist while Richard Cheifitz added two goals and three assists for five total points. Jamar Thigpen won 6 of 8 face-offs as Kean held a slight 10-for-19 advantage, and picked up five ground balls. 

Speciale gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead just 1:18 into the game, but Stuhler tied it up at 7:14. Freshman Sean Paradis then gave the Spartans a 2-1 lead off a feed from Green with 5:02 left. 

Alex Denny pushed the Castleton advantage to 3-1 at 10:39 in the second, and after a Speciale goal, Green pushed the lead to 4-2 with 7:42 remaining. However, Kean scored the final two goals of the half to tie it 4-4. 

The third was all Cougars as they outscored the Spartans 4-0. Stuhler ended the run with 12:24 left in the fourth quarter to bring Castleton within three, 8-5, though Kean scored the final three goals of the game for the win. 

Peter Latulippe played the opening 30 minutes in net and made seven saves while allowing four goals. Sam Polas took the loss after player the second half and giving up seven goals on 13 shots. Dino Vitale played all 60 minutes for the Cougars and made 12 saves while allowing just five goals. 

Castleton returns to action Sat., March 8 when the team hosts SUNY Canton at 2 pm in Spartan Stadium.