CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton women's soccer team returned to Dave Wolk Stadium to face off against New England College Wednesday afternoon, jumping out to a quick lead en route to a convincing 3-0 win over the Pilgrims.
It took the Spartans (2-4) just 2:28 to open of the game's scoring via
Rylee Pepin's second score of the year.
Lauren Fotter chased a long ball from
Bella Varisco down the left sideline, keeping it in bounds before sending a cross toward the top of the box. Cutting to the ball was Pepin, who one-timed the ball with her left foot, sending it over NEC's (0-5-1) goalie and in for a stellar goal.
Castleton kept their foot on the gas — the Spartans outshot the Pilgrims 9-4 in the half and 28-5 in the game — for the remainder of the first frame before finally breaking through to double their lead with 1:25 left.
Working the ball through the center of the field,
Jordan Mattison combined with freshman
Becky Hannwacker and found herself one-on-one with NEC's keeper. Mattison's initial shot was saved, but positioned perfectly for the rebound was
Maggie McKearin, who tapped it in for her first collegiate goal to give Castleton a 2-0 advantage at the break.
The second half started much like the first for the Spartans, with
Alexis Billings taking just 2:16 to make it a 3-0 game. A booming punt from
Alex Benfatti set up the sophomore at midfield, who then combined with Pepin to get around a Pilgrim defender and into space. Billings then took on a second NEC defender, losing the ball briefly before regaining possession and sending a high shot from 25 yards out up and over the Pilgrim's goalie for the score.
Billings — who paces the team in shots (18) and shots on goal (9) — now sits in a three-way tie with
Brytney Moore and Pepin for scoring leader to start the season, all sitting at two apiece.
The offensive onslaught continued for Castleton, who racked up an impressive 12 shots on frame in the half, but they were unable to extend their lead any further, with the final whistle securing the Spartans' 3-0 victory.
Castleton will look to carry this momentum into the weekend, when they travel to face off against Southern Maine in their conference-opener Saturday, September 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
