CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton women's soccer team hosted Rhode Island College in an LEC matchup Saturday afternoon, taking advantage of an early score from Alexis Billings en route to a 1-0 victory.
 
The Spartans (3-6, 1-1 LEC) jumped out to a quick lead in Saturday's contest via Billings' third goal of the season. Running onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Bella Varisco, the sophomore took a touch into the box and sent the ball past the Anchorwomen's keeper and in for the game's opening score. Billings, who paces the team in both shots (27) and shots on goal (15), now also holds the team-lead in goals with three in her first season with the Spartans.
 
Shots continued to come for Castleton in the remainder of the half, getting six more shots off in the frame while holding Rhode Island to just two, but were unable to extend their lead any further.
 
The offensive onslaught carried on into the second half — the Spartans outshot the Anchorwomen 10-2 in the period, getting six on net — but denials on shots from Billings, Megan Ezzo, Brytney Moore, Emma Patrissi, and Rylee Pepin held Castleton to just a 1-0 win when the final whistle blew.
 
Alex Benfatti put together her second shutout of the season in the win, tallying a save in each half including a game-clinching save on a free kick as time was about to expire.
 
Next up for the Spartans is a non-conference matchup against Emerson College Tuesday, September 27 with kickoff set for 6 p.m.