ALBANY, N.Y. - The Castleton men's soccer team opened the 2021 season with a thrilling 2-1 victory at Russell Sage College Wednesday night. 

The Spartans (1-0) struck first in the 44th minute as Charlie Cisneros collected a corner kick from Noah Swainbank and fired it past the outstretched arms of Gator goalkeeper Tyler Brennan. In the 34th minute, Andres Soto-Burgos stood tall in the goal, making back-to-back saves to keep RSC (0-1) off the board. The junior keeper made 10 total saves in the contest. 

Facing a 1-0 deficit at halftime, the Gators would see a penalty kick opportunity in the 48th minute to erase the Spartans' advantage after a handball was called in the box. Jeaneste Pierre was awarded the kick and Soto-Burgos allowed his only goal of the night. 
The two teams would reach a stalemate until the 81st minute. With less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Swainbank took a shot from eight yards out off a feed from Jacob Henderson and found the back right side of the net - the goal would serve as the eventual game-winner. 

RSC would maintain possession for most of the remainder, but wasn't able to force overtime against a stingy Spartan defense. Soto-Burgos made his final save of the contest in the 88th minute as the Gators attempted one last corner kick. 

Ciseros, a sophomore forward, earned his first collegiate goal while senior defender Swainbank netted the third of his career. Soto-Burgos reached double-digit saves for the first time in his career. 

The victory marked the first season-opening triumph for Castleton since 2013. 

The Spartans return to action Sunday, September 5 when they host Clark University for the home opener. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.