BOSTON, Mass. – The Castleton women's soccer team traveled to Boston to take on Emerson College in a non-conference matchup Tuesday night, with an early goal from the Lions serving as the decider in a tight 1-0 loss.
 
Senior Alex Benfatti was sensational in net for the Spartans (3-7, 1-1 LEC), saving 21 of the 22 shots she faced on the night. Her save total serves as a new career-high, ties Jessica Binkowski for the most denials in the program dating back to 2006, and ranks 12^th in the nation for saves in a game this season. Now sitting at 238 career saves, Benfatti also ranks fifth all-time in program history in the category.
 
The Lions (4-4-2, 1-0 ECAC) came out of the gate aggressive and were able to score on just their second shot of the game before Benfatti locked the doors, capitalizing on a corner to take the 1-0 lead just eight minutes in.
 
Castleton's best chance of the half came at the 26:44, but a liner from Jamie Ledoux was denied by Emerson's Amara Schaub, sending the Spartans into the break down one.
 
While Benfatti continued her excellent work in net in the second half, Castleton's offense also appeared much improved in the period, but were unable to convert on any of their chances.
 
At the 63-minute mark, Megan Ezzo ripped a shot from 30 yards out the was headed for the top corner, only to have it saved by Schaub. Just two minutes later, a perfect long ball found its way to Alexis Billings at the corner of the box, only to have her shot ricochet off the crossbar.
 
 Gabrielle Knight and Ashlee Meczywor would also get great looks at goal in the half, but none found the back of the net, resulting in the close loss for the Spartans.
 
Castleton will look to bounce back this weekend when they host Western Connecticut Saturday, October 1. Kickoff for the LEC bout is set for 1 p.m.