CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton field hockey team struggled to get anything going in their matchup against the Engineers Tuesday night, falling behind early and suffering a 2-0 defeat in front of the home crowd.
 
The Spartans (2-3, 1-0 LEC) were forced to go on the defensive right away in this one, giving up four shots and two penalty corners in the first six minutes. Despite the backline's efforts, the Engineers (1-3) would find paydirt at the 6:17 mark off their third corner of the frame.
 
Forward Brianna Duba's initial shot was saved by Hannah Frittenburg, but the loose ball found itself at the stick of Nina Caprio who slid it into the back of the cage for the game's first goal. The Castleton keeper did her best to keep the game close, making nine of her 13 saves in the opening frame, but RPI's one goal was all it took in the low-scoring game.
 
The Spartans showed signs of life in the second quarter, with Amelia Wilson and Kaitlin Bardellini each getting off a shot, but it would be the Engineers who struck again to double their lead with just two minutes remaining. Delana Bonci brought the ball down the sideline with pace before sending the ball toward the circle where Lauren McCarthy was waiting to one-time the ball into the cage to make it 2-0.
 
The second half was much like the first, with RPI dominating possession and holding the Spartans without a shot, resulting in their second shutout loss of the year.
 
Castleton's next opportunity to get back in the win column will come on the road as they travel to North Dartmouth to take on UMass Dartmouth Saturday, September 18, with first pass set for 11 a.m.