CASTLETON, Vt. – The Spartans held a two-goal lead midway through the second half but the University of Maine at Farmington scored three unanswered to earn a 5-4 victory in the North Atlantic Conference opener for both teams at Spartan Stadium on Saturday. 

Castleton outshot visiting UMF 19-17, but dropped to 0-6 and 0-1 in conference action. The Beavers earned two more corners, 15-13, as they came away with the win to improve to 4-3 and 1-0 in the NAC. 

The Spartans came out strong with some early penalty corners but were unable to convert. UMF took advantage in the 13th minute on a fast break as Mara Balboni took the ball into the shooting circle before dishing off to Carly Raymond on the near post for the goal. 

At 21:30 the Beavers added to their lead. Emmah Spahr sent a ball into the shooting circle and amid a crowd in front Rebecca Young was able to poke it past goalie Jess Galatioto. 

Castleton finally converted on a penalty corner in the 27th minute. After an initial shot from Leah Holland the Spartans attacked the rebound and in a crowd Emily Hudson was able to tap it in on the far post. 

Just two minutes later, the Spartans struck again to tie the game 2-2. Emily Hudson had the ball on the far side of the field and sent a cross into the middle, which Anna-Michelle Fabian one-timed for the equalizer. 

Three minutes into the second half, Castleton earned a penalty corner. Holland sent the ball on goal from the far side of the shooting circle and Patty Smith made the stop but Fabian was on the post and tapped it in for the 3-2 lead at 38:29. 

The Spartans made it 4-2 two minutes later as Fabian was taken down while trying to make a cross to the front of the net. Castleton earned a penalty stroke and Kristy Pinkham went top corner for the goal. 

UMF came back in the 43rd minute as Chelsea Morley ripped a shot from seven yards out that got past Galatioto. The Beavers then tied the score up 4-4 at 47:42. Sarita Crandall sent a cross to the middle that went past the defense and Emma Spahr knocked it home. 

With 21:00  left UMF earned a penalty stroke as Galatioto fell on the ball in front of the net. However, the senior stopped the stroke to keep the score tied at four apiece. 

The Beavers managed to grab the lead in the 53rd minute on a penalty corner. Meghan Hughes took the ball on the wing and ripped a shot on net that deflected off a defender's stick and flew over the entire defense and Galatioto for the goal. 

Castleton had its chances in the final 15 minutes, including a penalty corner with just under three minutes left, but couldn't convert.

Galatioto finished the game with seven saves in the cage while taking the loss. Patty Smith, meanwhile, made ten stops to secure the victor 

The Spartans return to action on Oct. 4 when they travel to face Husson at 7 pm.