CASTLETON, Vt. – Behind four-second half goals, the Union College Dutchwomen defeated the Castleton University Field Hockey team by the score of 5-3 in the Spartans' season opener at Spartan Stadium on Friday.

Sophomore Loretta Blakeney scored the first goal of her collegiate career to give Castleton the early lead when she scored at the 2:03 mark of the first on a rebound from the doorstep.

Just 36 seconds later, the Dutchwomen knotted the score at one when Cici Lyne buried a through shot from range.

The Spartans regained the lead after Cydney Jeffrey converted on a scrum in front with 2:37 remaining in the first half. 

Then, the Dutchwomen stormed back with four unanswered goals in the second half, propelled by a pair of tallies within the opening five minutes, to pull away with the victory.

Castleton pulled closer in the final minute when Allison Lowell notched her first goal of the season on a streaking run to the left post and shot back to the near-side after a deflected cross from the right.

Tashia Pashby-Rockwood made nine saves in goal for the Spartans. The Dutchwomen led in total shots by the clip of 24-14.

The Spartans will be home again on Sunday for a nonconference matchup with Morrisville State at 1 p.m.