GORHAM, Maine. – The Castleton women's soccer team faced off against Southern Maine in the Little East Conference semifinal round Thursday afternoon, falling to the top-seeded Huskies 2-0 on the road.
 
The Spartans were narrowly outshot 7-5 in the first half before ending the game trailing 13-6. Playing in her final game for Castleton, goalkeeper Alex Benfatti was excellent between the posts, saving 11 of the 13 shots she faced, including several highlight saves to keep the game within reach.
 
The Spartans created the first opportunity of the game on a rifle from Alexis Billings that was saved by Southern Maine's Breanna Atwood. The Huskies countered with a trio of shots of their own, that were all turned aside by Benfatti.
 
After a series substitutions with 15 minutes to go in the half, Southern Maine drew a pair of corners, the second of which found its way into the back of the net to put Castleton down one.
 
Looking to respond, the Spartans made a pair of subs in Devyn Beliveau-Gale and Gabrielle Knight that provided an instant spark to Castleton's offense. With time winding down, the Spartans created two chances off their high press from Brytney Moore, but neither got past Atwood, bringing the Spartans into the break down 1-0.
 
Castleton opened up the second half on the offensive, earning their first corner of the day under a minute in as well as registering the half's first shot on net, but nothing came of either opportunity. Southern Maine retaliated with a series of shots of their own, but Benfatti stood tall, making save after save to keep it a one-score game.
 
Converting on another corner, however, Southern Maine doubled their lead with a low shot into the bottom corner in the 85^th minute. The remainder of play was spent in the midfield and at the final whistle the Spartans saw their season come to a close in a 2-0 loss.