CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton field hockey team notched a key conference victory over Keene State, 3-2, on Tuesday night at Dave Wolk Stadium.
The Spartans (10-7, 8-3 LEC) got scores from Emily Harris, Peyton Richardson, and Haley Lassen whose goal was a career-first. Kaitlin Bardellini and Chance Jaquin were tabbed with assists on the first two goals. Zoe Martin spent all 60 minutes in goal, denying five on-target attempts with two scores allowed.
Castleton dominated possession out of the gate, launching an array of balls at the Owls' (9-9, 8-3 LEC) goal but Clara Gorman stopped each shot. In the ninth minute, Harris fired an attempt that drew a corner from Jaquin. The Canastota, N.Y. native saw one shot go awry but kicked it over to Lassen to put the Spartans in front, 1-0. The Owls took just 29 seconds to match Castleton with a goal of their own from Irini Stefanakos.
In the second quarter, the Spartans drew six corners in seven minutes to continue guarding possession from the Owls. Gorman made a quartet of saves that led to the period's lone opportunity for Keene State in the 29th minute, a shot from Molly Murray that Martin stopped to keep it one-all at halftime.
Gorman and Martin traded saves in the opening moments of the second half as each offense began to roll. Just after the 36th minute, Bardellini had a shot kicked away by Gorman, but settled and dished it to Richardson who lifted a shot into the box. The ball deflected off an Owl stick and into the goal, making it 2-1 Spartans. After a Harris shot flew wide minutes later, the Owls burst down the field and Stefanakos found Ellie Hunkins for a goal to tie it up heading into the final quarter.
The squads matched possessions while Keene State subbed in fresh legs liberally, but it was Harris who burst through the Owl defense and put in the night's would-be game-winning goal in the 55th minute. The Spartans held off a flurry of KSC offense in the last five minutes, preventing any shots from being taken to secure a crucial Little East Conference victory.
The Spartans conclude their regular season at Bridgewater State on Saturday, October 29. Pass back is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Swenson Field.
