CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton women's soccer team dropped its North Atlantic Conference opener on Saturday evening, falling by a final score of 1-0 to New England College at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans are now 1-4-2 on the season after the loss, including a 0-1 mark in conference play. New England College moves to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in the NAC with the victory.

Jessica Binkowski made three saves for the Spartans, while four different Spartans had shots on goal in the contest.

For New England College, Jaycie Triandafilou scored the lone goal in the contest on a long assist by Jess Dowson. Mackenzie Meegan made four saves in her first shutout of the season.

The first half was largely uneventful, as the two sides combined for only three shots on goal in the opening stanza. The Spartans had the best look in the half, as with 5:44 to play in the frame, Eva Clark got in on goal and let go a shot that got beyond Meegan. The ball rolled just wide of the open net, however, and over the end line to end the threat.

In the second half, both sides continued their even battle, going shot-for-shot and save-for-save. The lone score came in the 85th minute, when Dowson collected a loose ball on the right sideline and sent a high pass into the box. Triandafilou ran under it and deflected it into the goal as Binkowski came charging out, giving the Pilgrims a late lead that they would not relinquish.

Castleton held a 10-9 advantage in shots, while both sides put four shots on goal. NEC held the edge in corner kicks, 4-3, while the Spartans had 10 fouls to NEC's seven.

The Spartans are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Middlebury for a 4:30 p.m. contest.