CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton women's soccer team opened their season with a matchup against Plattsburgh State Thursday afternoon, falling short in a 2-0 loss in front of the home crowd.
 
The two sides traded blows in the opening 20 minutes, but it was the Cardinals (1-0) striking first in the 24^th minute after a cross from Plattsburgh's Kirsten Villemaire found Allison Seidman, who sent it far post for the game's opening goal.
 
The Cardinals controlled the majority of the half after taking the lead, getting off four shots to the Spartans' (0-1) one, but the half ended with Plattsburgh up just one.
 
The second half started in Castleton's favor, with Alexis Billing forcing Plattsburgh's Julia Ennis to make her third save of the afternoon, but the Cardinals struck once again in the 53^rd minute to double their lead. Plattsburgh only put two shots on frame in the contest compared to five for the Spartans, but both were able to get past goalie Alex Benfatti, marking the first time in the senior's career that she did not register a save.
 
Castleton's best chance to respond came in the 70^th minute when Emma Patrissi found herself one-on-one with the Cardinals' goalie, but the freshman's shot was denied by a diving Ennis to keep the score 2-0. The Spartans put one more shot on net and earned two corners in the final 20, but were unable to capitalize, resulting in the season-opening loss.
 
Castleton will look to get their first win this weekend as they travel to Saratoga Springs, N.Y. to take on Skidmore College Saturday, September 3. Kickoff is schedule for 12 p.m.