CASTLETON, Vt. – Senior Mallory Costello scored twice in the first half and netted one more in the second for a hat trick as Castleton University opened the season with a decisive 4-1 victory over Skidmore on Tuesday afternoon. 

Costello was a force up top, scoring her three goals on just four shots for her fifth career hat trick. Overall, Skidmore did outshoot the Spartans 21-16 and had an advantage in corner kicks, 5-2, but couldn't convert as the visitors dropped to 0-1 overall. 

Castleton got on the board in the opening five minutes for the early 1-0 advantage. Following a corner kick, freshman Kinnan Latremore launched a ball from 35 yards out near the sideline on net, forcing goalie Dee Walsh to make a leaping save near the cross bar. She batted the ball to the ground but Costello was right in front to clean it up for the score. 

The senior added to the lead just minutes later at 9:44, after she stole the ball just outside the 18. Costello then took a dribble before firing a shot to the to the upper corner of the net, past a diving Walsh who managed to only get a few fingers on the ball. 

The Thoroughbreds' best chance of the half came in the final minute as Jane Huber ripped a shot, forcing Jessica Binkowski to leap for the save. Arena Manning then tried to head in the rebound but Binkowski got two hands on the ball to knock it away. 

In the second half, Castleton stretched its lead to 3-0 on a nice play off a corner kick. Latremore lifted her corner to the middle of the six and Eva Clark headed it through a crowd at 46:03 for the goal. 

Costello then put the finishing touches on her hat trick in the 56th minute. Nicole Wershoven carried the ball down the near sideline before sending a cross to the middle for Costello, who headed it home for the four-goal advantage. 

Skidmore tallied its lone goal at 70:55, as Emily Saliterman send a nice cross into the box for Megan Caccavale. She one-touched it past a helpless Binkowski to cut the deficit to 4-1. 

Walsh took the loss in net, making six saves in 90 minutes while Binkowski earned the win with eight saves between the pipes. 

Castleton returns to action on Saturday when the team hosts Bard in the opening game of the Rutland Herald Invitational at 3 pm.