CASTLETON, Vt. – Castleton University rallied from a halftime deficit as well as a man-down situation midway through the second half, scoring the final three goals of the match to defeat New England College, 9-7, Wednesday night in a North Atlantic Conference women's lacrosse contest at Spartan Stadium.

Down 5-3 at halftime, Castleton tied the score five minutes into the second half when Tiffany Danyow converted on a free position shot, and then she took a pass from Emily Cross and found the back of the net just 31 seconds later. New England College retook the lead just 35 seconds after that on a free position shot by Alana Scott.

The scoring frenzy continued 46 seconds later, as Nadine Downing found Hannah Braman to again tie the game. Once again, the Pilgrims answered right back, as Allison Granata scored off an assist by Tara Bainbridge just over one minute later to allow NEC to regain the lead, 7-6.

After eight minutes of back-and-forth action, with Castleton down one player, Danyow set up Braman for her second goal of the game to create another tie at 7-7. Danyow then took matters into her own hands, converting another free position shot with 9:18 left in regulation to give the Spartans the lead for good, and then scoring her fourth goal of the match just over one minute later.

New England College (3-4, 2-1 NAC) was unable to convert any scoring chances in the final 22:30, as Castleton goalie Samantha Hebb earned her second victory in as many matches with 12 saves. The Spartan defense helped Hebb, as Braman and Sabrina Hosner caused three turnovers each, and Downing led all players with seven ground balls. 

Danyow finished with four goals for the third straight match as she once again led the Spartans with five total points. Cross and Grace Johnson each finished with one goal and two assists, while Braman finished with two goals and four draw controls.

Granata earned a hat trick for the Pilgrims, while Scott led the team with four total points on two goals and two assists. Tailor Chapin was one of three New England College players with six ground balls, plus she caused five turnovers. Pilgrim netminder Mackenzie Meegan was credited with seven saves during the night.

Scott started the scoring just over four minutes into the match, but Downing tied the game just 40 seconds later off an assist by Johnson. Johnson would tally her own goal to give Castleton a 2-1 lead, but New England College would score four of the next five goals, including two by Granata as well as consecutive goals by Bainbridge and Chapin just 22 seconds apart late in the first half to give the Pilgrims the 5-3 halftime advantage.

Castleton (2-4, 2-0 NAC) will face Plymouth State at the Holderness School in Holderness, N.H., Friday, March 31, at 4 p.m. before returning to league play Saturday, April 1, at Thomas College starting at 2:30 p.m. The Spartans will enjoy a three-game homestand next week, starting Wednesday, April 5, against Keene State at 4 p.m.