CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton men's soccer team hosted Keene State under the lights of Dave Wolk Stadium Wednesday night, falling just short in an action-packed contest in front of the home crowd.
 
In what was expected to be a high-scoring affair, both sides came out aggressive from the opening kickoff. The Spartans (3-7-2, 1-3-1 LEC) started things off with a trio of chances in the opening 10 minutes from Ayoob Musanovic, Adolphe Alfani, and Jacob Barth that were saved, hit the post and ricocheted off the crossbar.
 
The Owls (5-7-1, 3-2 LEC) responded with a flurry of shots of their own in the ensuing 10 minutes, two of which were on target and turned aside by Andres Soto-Burgos, who racked up another five saves in the contest.
 
Finally, after both sides had gotten their share of opportunites, it was Jacob Barth breaking the tie by heading in the ball off a free kick from Matt Spiller just outside the box. The goal was the first of Barth's career and one of two assists Spiller would have on the day.
 
Responding almost immediately, however, was Keene, who took just 25 seconds to draw level on a score from Mbambi Mbungu — whose seven goals after the game tie him for first in the conference — before taking the lead with another quick score three minutes later.
 
It looked as though Castleton would enter the break down just one, but a third goal by the Owls doubled their lead in the 44^th minute to send the Spartans into halftime down 3-1.
 
Castleton opened up the second half on the offensive before Adolphe Alfani's fifth of the season brought it back to a one-score game. Working the ball through the midfield, Gonzalaiz Arakaza sent a through ball to Alfani, who used his speed to take a touch around Keene State's keeper and tap the ball in for the score.
 
Shots by Michael O'Connor, Arakaza and Spiller all looked like they could level the game, but instead it was the Owls extending their lead back to two on Mbungu's third goal of the night, making it a 4-2 game.
 
This time, however, it was the Spartans who would respond quickly, cutting the lead back to one just 46 seconds later on their second goal off a set piece of the night, with Spiller finding the head of Arakaza to make it 4-3.
 
Despite having momentum on their side, Castleton was unable to get another look, suffering the tough 4-3 loss at home.
 
The Spartans will look to rebound Saturday, October 15 when they travel for an LEC match against Plymouth State, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.