Box Score CASTLETON, Vt. – The Spartans picked up their first North Atlantic Conference and second overall victory of the season on Saturday, defeating Lyndon 5-0 on Saturday in Spartan Stadium.
Castleton outshot the visitors 25-9, getting a pair of goals each from Spencer Dandurand and Owen Fellows, while Alex McCormick recorded one goal and one assist. The Spartans improve to 2-4 with the victory while Lyndon drops to 3-3.
Castleton immediately pressured the opposition, gaining its first opportunity of the match in the second minute. Justin Hepburn pushed the ball down the far sideline and sent in a cross that was deflected. Dandurand gathered the ball, dribbling into the box and fired a shot that skimmed off the top of the crossbar and out of play.
Shortly after that, the Spartans grabbed the first goal on McCormick's notched score of the 2014. McCormick received the ball in the middle of the field and dribbled past three defenders before firing a 25-yard screamer that ricocheted the top of the crossbar and went into goal.
In the 17th minute, the Spartans received an indirect free kick from just inside the box. McCormick took it, delivering a pass to Bryce Kaler at the top of the box who's shot forced Jason Marks, the Hornets keeper, to make a diving save.
Lyndon had its first real opportunity in the 40th minute after Kaler brought down a Hornet in a dangerous position. Eric Nelson stepped up and delivered a free kick from 20 yards out, sending in a bending shot that forced Dan Palker to make a lunging stop.
The Spartans came out of the break attacking and pushing the ball forward, and less than one minute into the second half, the home team doubled their lead. Blake Hart had possession and delivered a pass to Dandurand on the far wing. The senior midfielder collected the ball and slipped it passed the keeper into the bottom corner of the goal to give the Spartans a two-goal advantage.
Castleton tacked on their third goal of the match in the 62nd minute when Dandurand grabbed his second goal of the game. Kaler elected for the short corner kick, passing the ball to McCormick who turned and delivered a cross into the box that Dandurand headed past the Hornets keeper.
With 17 minutes remaining, Fellows nearly grabbed his first goal of the season. Paul Phillips delivered a cross in from 35 yards out that Fellows connected with, sending in a rocket that clattered off the crossbar and was cleared from play.
Eight minutes later, Fellows fount the back of the net when Vinny Addonisio dribbled the ball in front of the net before passing it off to Fellows on the wing for the easy score and a 4-0 lead.
Fellows continued his scoring in the 89th minute when Seth Wilmott sent a ball into the box that the sophomore forward slammed home from the six to extend the Spartan lead to five.
Palker picked up his first career shutout for the Spartans, making four saves, including a fantastic diving effort, en route to his second victory on the season. Jason Marks, now 2-2 on the season, made six saves from nine shots on goal in the loss, while Matt LaClair made one save in 13 minutes of relief.
Castleton returns to the pitch next Saturday when it hosts two-time defending NAC Champion Thomas for a conference match beginning at 2 pm.
