FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Led by the sophomore duo of Emily Harris and Madelyn Cote, the Castleton field hockey team started conference play with a bang, beating Framingham State 2-1 Friday afternoon to earn their second win of the season.
 
Things got off to a bit of a slow start for the Spartans (2-2, 1-0 LEC) — they were outshot 4-1 in the first quarter — but some big saves from goalkeeper Maddi Leduc kept the game even 15 minutes in. With usual starter Hannah Frittenburg out due to injury, the freshman impressed in her first start for Castleton, allowing just one goal and saving six shots in the win.
 
Momentum swung in the Spartans' favor to start the second quarter, and it was Harris once again finding paydirt to give Castleton the early lead. Just under three minutes into the frame, the sophomore had her initial shot saved by Rams (1-1, 0-1 LEC) keeper Grace Pushor, but followed it up herself and slotted the ball into the back of the cage to put the Spartans up 1-0 and give Harris her team-leading seventh goal of the season.
 
The offensive onslaught continued as the quarter progressed and eight minutes later Castleton doubled their lead on the back of Cote's goal. Off of a Kaitlin Bardellini corner, the sophomore dribbled the ball around a Framingham State defender and slapped a shot from distance past the Rams' goalie and in for her first of the season.
 
The Spartans would carry their two-goal advantage into the final quarter after a quiet third, but endured a bit of a scare over the final few minutes. At the 54-minute mark, Framingham State looked poised to score a goal after Brandi Core's shot went past Leduc, but a defensive save from Harris kept the Rams out of the scoring column and Castleton up two.
 
Framingham State would eventually get on the board with just over two minutes remaining to cut the deficit to one, but consecutive stops on penalty corners was enough to seal the victory for the Spartans. The deciding factor in the game was shot conversion, with the Rams getting just one of their 15 shots past the Spartan defense, while Castleton converted on two of their 10 shots.
 
Next up for the Spartans is a long awaited home game as Castleton preps to take on Rensselaer Tuesday, Sept. 14. The game will be played at Dave Wolk Stadium and is set to start at 4 P.M.