MANCHESTER, Vt. – The Castleton women's soccer team took on Williams College in the opening game of the Manchester Women's College Cup Saturday afternoon, fighting hard for 90 minutes before ultimately falling 2-0 to the Ephs.
 
Williams (1-1, 0-1 NESCAC) came out of the gate attacking and took just 1:35 to score the game's opening goal via a long ball and shot that snuck its way past Alex Benfatti.
 
Action remained in the Spartans' (1-3) half for much of the next 30 minutes before a penalty kick double the Ephs' lead to two in the 32^nd minute. Castleton created a couple chances as the half came to a close, but were unable to convert, leaving them down 2-0 entering the break.
 
The second half was a different story as Castleton created the first chance of the frame with a beautiful through ball to a cutting Brytney Moore. With defenders flanking her, the junior found herself with just Williams' keeper Margaret Huelin to beat, but was denied her third goal of the year to keep the Spartans down two.
 
The Ephs responded with their own series of chances, looking to extend their lead further, but an excellent performance from Benfatti in net — the senior racked up a season-high nine saves in the game — kept it a two-score game. The Spartans applied plenty of pressure over the game's final 20 minutes, but neither side was able to create much offense, and the final whistle blew with Williams earning the 2-0 win.
 
Castleton will be tested once again with a matchup with No. 6 MIT in the final game of the Manchester Women's College Cup Sunday, September 11 at 4 p.m.