KEENE, N.H. – The Castleton women's soccer team concluded their three-game road trip with a matchup against Keene State Wednesday night, capitalizing on Rylee Pepin's goal in the 58^th minute to earn a critical 1-0 win over the Owls.
 
Both sides created excellent scoring quick chances in the contest, with shots coming from Pepin and Keene State's (7-6-2, 2-3 LEC) Amanda Marshall, but neither were able to covert, keeping the game level in the early going.
 
After their initial opportunities, much of the remaining half was spent in the midfield until the Spartans' (4-9-1, 2-2-1 LEC) Lily Modica got two shots on goal — Castleton's first and second of the half — that were both turned aside by the Owls' Riley Andriski, leaving both sides scoreless entering the first break.
 
Keene State came out in the second half swinging, getting three shots on net in the first eight minutes, but all were denied by the Spartans' Alex Benfatti. The senior was perfect in net for Castleton, saving all five shots she faced en route to her third shutout of the year.
 
Finally, after spending the opening 13 minutes on the backfoot, Castleton and Pepin took advantage of their first chance of the half to break the tie and take the lead.
 
Battling for the ball in the midfield, Bella Varisco combined with Megan Ezzo before sending a long ball to a sprinting Pepin. The sophomore was first to the ball, beating an Owls defender just outside the box before sending a high shot up and over Andriski and into the back of the net for the score. The score was the Pepin's third of the year — ranking her second on the team — and second game-winner.
 
Keene State created a couple more chances in the closing minutes, but the final whistle blew with the Spartans holding a 1-0 lead for their second conference victory of the season.
 
Castleton will look to keep this momentum going Saturday, October 15 when they host Plymouth State, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 p.m.