CASTLETON, Vt. – Propelled by two second-half goals, the Castleton University women's soccer team defeated Rhode Island College 2-0 in a Little East Conference (LEC) contest Sunday afternoon at Dave Wolk Stadium.
 
In a scoreless first half in which the Spartans (3-1, 3-1 LEC) were outshot 12-5, the Anchorwomen (0-4, 0-4 LEC) controlled the majority of the possession. The Spartans were unable to record a shot on goal in the first half while the Anchorwomen challenged goaltender Alex Benfatti early and often. Benfatti was forced into action as she tallied six saves to keep the Anchorwomen off the board.
 
Benfatti, who earned her third straight win in goal for the Spartans, finished the game with eight saves as she preserved the shutout victory.
 
The Spartans tallied the first goal of the game in the 72nd minute of the second half as they began putting pressure on the Anchorwomen. After an initial shot from Julia Blanchard that was pushed aside by goaltender Giannie Soto, Bella Varisco was fouled inside the 18-yard box and the Spartans were awarded a penalty. Julia Carone tallied her second goal of the season shortly after as she sent Soto the wrong way, burying the penalty shot in the lower right-hand corner to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead.
 
The lead ballooned to two in the 76th minute of play as an own goal given up by the Anchorwomen extended the Spartans' lead to 2-0.
 
Castleton returns to action Friday, April 30, as it wraps up the 2020-21 season, taking on Eastern Connecticut State on the road starting at 4 p.m.