CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton women's soccer team took on in-state rival Norwich University under the lights of Dave Wolk Stadium Wednesday night, capitalizing on the home-field advantage en route to a decisive 7-0 win over the Cadets.
It was all Spartans (1-2) from the opening kickoff, as Castleton got the first four shots off of the game before breaking open the game with their first goal of the season at the 13:01 mark.
Brytney Moore started with the ball just outside the 18-yard box, neatly flicking it over to
Rylee Pepin down the left sideline. The sophomore controlled the ball and sent it right back toward the box, where Moore was waiting for the one-time finish to make it a 1-0 game.
Just 10 minutes later, it was Moore striking again to double Castleton's lead. This time it was
Maddie Lindgren taking the ball down the right sideline before sending a ball right to the penalty spot, where Moore once again kept her composure and slotted the ball into the corner.
It appeared as though that would be the score heading into halftime, but right at the 44 minute mark it was newcomers
Maggie McKearin and
Megan Ezzo combing to make it a 3-0 lead before the break. McKearin won a one-on-one battle at the corner of the box before sending a ball into toward Ezzo, who coolly one-timed it into the far corner for her first goal of the season.
After being held to just 6 shots on target through their first two games, Castleton held a 17-0 shot advantage, including 12 on frame through 45 minutes against Norwich (2-2).
The second half brought much more of the same, as the Spartans saw their lead balloon to four just six minutes into the period. Moore found herself at the goal line and ripped a shot toward net that was saved by the Cadets' Rebecca Karis, but there for the rebound was Pepin to rifle the shot into the back of the net for her first of the year.
Six minutes later Pepin returned the favor — her second assist on the day to go with her goal —, sending a beautiful through ball to
Alexis Billings, who took one touch around Norwich's keeper and tapped the ball home to make it a 5-0 game, but Castleton was not done there.
With most of the starters on the bench, it was freshmen
Ada Perry finding classmate
Emma Patrissi on the run, who took the ball in stride and slid it into the bottom corner for her first collegiate goal. Joining in on the fun with 10 minutes left was freshman
Devon Riggio, who found herself wide open on a corner from
Gabrielle Knight, volleying the ball into the back of the net for her first goal of the season. The score put the Spartans up 7-0 and handed them their first win of the year in dominant fashion.
Next up for Castleton is the Manchester Women's College Cup taking place this Saturday and Sunday. Games will be played at Applejack Stadium in Manchester, Vt. with the Spartans opening the tournament against Williams Saturday at 1 p.m. before they conclude the weekend with a game against MIT Sunday at 4 p.m.
