CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton field hockey team took down their third LEC opponent in shutout fashion in as many games, handing Eastern Connecticut State a 3-0 loss at Dave Wolk Stadium on Friday night.

Amelie Steinel, Haley Corlew, and Emily Harris each tallied a goal while Hannah Frittenburg allowed none between the posts, solidifying her first victory of the season. The Spartans benefitted from assists by Corlew, Harris, Madelyn Cote, and Theresa Culpo. Cote also collected her second career defensive save in the contest's final moments.

Offensive action picked up midway through the opening quarter as Corlew connected with Cote in front of the cage as the junior defender took an attempt that Warrior keeper Sarah Gallagher saved. Flying in from behind, Steinel collected the rebound and put in the night's first score. To close the first period, Harris found Corlew at the top of the circle who scored from 15 yards out to make it a 2-0 Spartan lead.

Shortly after being issued a green card, the Warriors drew a pair of penalty corners and nearly converted, but Frittenburg saved Katelyn Miller's on-target attempt with 10:27 to go. Castleton flipped the field and Harris blitzed the Warrior goal, sending a shot that Gallagher deflected and regrouping to receive a pass from Culpo and up her goal total to 12 on the year. Nearing the halftime break, Eastern Connecticut State had a legitimate scoring opportunity on a penalty stroke but Leah Kowalasky missed wide. Frittenburg held her ground for another save with 67 seconds and ticking, carrying the 3-0 advantage into halftime.

With the three-goal cushion on their side, the Spartans continued to suppress the Warrior offense as Frittenburg saved another pair of shots, blocked one, and forced two wide of the cage. In the final quarter, Eastern Connecticut State drew a whopping nine penalty corners and got shots off on nearly all, but never found the back of the net. Cote's defensive save followed up a deflection that drew Frittenburg out of position, denying the Warriors another opportunity. Junior keeper Frittenburg shot down two goal-bound shots in the final minute to preserve the Spartans' third conference victory.

The triumph puts Castleton into first place in LEC standings as the Spartans are the first squad to hit the three-win mark.

The Spartans travel to Skidmore on Tuesday, September 27 for a non-conference matchup. Pass-back in Saratoga Springs is slated for 4 p.m.