Strong defensive play for both sides left the scoreboard blank for most of the first half. Sophomore Leah Holland recorded her first six saves of the season before Alexa Stiriti of Union found the back of the net on a feed from Charlotte Leyland at the 29:34 mark of the first half.

Opportunities presented themselves throughout the first half for Castleton, but the Spartans could not capitalize. Sophomore Sarah Wells broke loose beyond the Union defense with just over eight minutes left in the half but the pass from Emily Lowell proved to be a little too much. Stellar goaltending down the stretch kept the game 1-0 at the half but the Spartans broke through in the second.  

Wells got redemption, notching her first goal of the season and tying the game at 1-1 with just over 14 minutes remaining in the game. Senior Haley Spittle drove down the sidelines and put a shot on goal that was initially saved. Wells retrieved the rebound in front from eight feet out and pounded it home to even the score.

The Dutchwomen responded less than four minutes later with another goal on a scrum in front of the goal. After the initial shot went off the post, Leyland snuck a rebound past Holland to give the Dutchwomen a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish.

Wells and Spittle led the Spartans in the loss with one point each coming from the goal, while Holland recorded ten saves on 12 shots in the cage.

Castleton will return to action at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday when they host Morrisville State.