CASTLETON, Vt. – The Spartans built up a 9-1 halftime lead behind another impressive performance from Brianna MacKay on the way to a 15-6 victory over Colby-Sawyer in North Atlantic Conference action on Wednesday evening at Spartan Stadium. 

MacKay scored on each of her first six shots and ended the game with seven goals on just nine shots. The final tally was the 100th of her career, becoming just the 11th player in program history to reach that milestone. She also picked up four ground balls in the contest. 

Castleton held a 27-16 shot advantage in the contest and caused 17 turnovers while picking up 27 ground balls to improve to 5-4 overall and 3-0 in the NAC. The Chargers managed just 16 shots and picked up 17 ground balls as they fell to 4-5 and 3-1 in conference play. 

Senior Brandi Whittemore did a bit of everything for the Spartans with two goals, two assists, two ground balls and two caused turnovers, while Chantel Wilkin had one goal and one assist. Tiffany Danyow anchored the defense as she caused six turnovers and picked up five ground balls. Nadine Downing added four draw controls and three ground balls. 

Colby-Sawyer's Sara Berry registered three goals, four ground balls, three draw controls and a caused turnover to pace the offense. Bailey Starr added one goal and six draw controls while Nicole Lavigne chipped in one goal, four ground balls and two caused turnovers.

In a battle of the top two teams in the NAC, it was the Spartans who came out  firing as MacKay gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead just 1:16 into the contest. Goals by Wilkin and Grace Johnson pushed the lead to 3-0 and the Spartans led 5-0 before Berry scored for the Chargers to make it 5-1 at 12:05. Castleton scored the final four goals of the half, including three by MacKay, to lead 9-1 at the break. 

MacKay registered her sixth goal just 51 seconds into the second half, but the teams traded goals over the next 15 minutes, for a 12-3 advantage in favor of the Spartans. Emilee Maher scored with 10:22 left for the ten-goal lead, but the Chargers outscored Castleton 3-2 over the last ten minutes to fall 15-6. 

Senior Meghan Els was solid in goal as she allowed just one goal while making four saves in the first half to earn the win. Rachel Bombardier stopped one shot and allowed five goals in the final 30 minutes. 

Colby-Sawyer's Meghan Castellano took the loss between the pipes as she made seven saves while giving up 15 goals. 

The Spartans return to action on Saturday when they travel to play Husson at 3:30 pm.