CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton field hockey team was shut out by defending national champion and top-ranked Middlebury on Tuesday night, 8-0.

The Panthers' defense shined in Middlebury's season-opening contest as the Spartan offense did not register a shot attempt. Hannah Frittenburg saved seven Panther shots in 22 minutes of action, while Zoe Martin collected 24 saves in the final 38 minutes.

Despite the ball being in attacking territory for Middlebury early, the Spartans held the Panthers scoreless until midway through the first quarter. Frittenburg saved a pair of chances until Katie George took a ball down the endline and found the far post for a 1-0 Panther advantage. Soon after at the six-minute mark, Audrey Lazar executed a setup from Ellie Harrison to give the visitors a two-goal lead.

Frittenburg held her own between the posts to begin the second period, saving four including the first two of a three-shot sequence that culminated in Lazar's second score. Martin took over goalkeeping duties just before Sadie LeStage found paydirt, burying her own rebound. Amy Griffin hurled in a rebounded shot with six minutes left in the half as the Panthers would carry a 5-0 lead to halftime.

Martin started the second half in goal for Castleton and suppressed the Panther attack, saving all 11 shots on goal in the third quarter. The Spartan offense benefitted from a pair of penalty corners and breakaways from Emily Harris and Genevieve Pitts, but could not convert the efforts into scores. Middlebury's abundance of depth outlasted the Spartans in the final quarter as the Panthers tacked on three more goals to conclude the night's scoring.

The Spartans do battle once again at Dave Wolk Stadium this Saturday, September 10 with Framingham State for Homecoming and Family Weekend. Opening pass-back is set for 6 p.m.