CASTLETON, Vt. — Holly Cudmore's five-point performance propelled the Vermont State University Castleton women's soccer team to a 5-0 shutout of SUNY Poly Wednesday night.
Cudmore accounted for three goals, tallying the first two scores of her career with an assist. Lily Modica also collected her first career strike as Rylee Pepin and Alexis Billings delivered one goal apiece. Jordan Mattison and Lauren Fotter were credited with their first and third collegiate assists, respectively, to round out the Spartans' (3-10) point scorers.
Between the posts, Emma Ezzo knocked away all four SUNY Poly (4-7-1) shots for her second career clean sheet.
VTSU Castleton connected on its first on-goal attempt as Cudmore redirected a cross into the box from Fotter to take a seventh-minute lead. The senior midfielder found the net again in the 19th minute when her pass to Maggie McKearin was deflected by a Wildcat and into the twine. Just 32 seconds later, Cudmore linked up with Pepin who put a dart inside the left post, giving the Spartans a three-goal advantage.
Moments before halftime, Becky Hannwacker booted a ball to Modica in the middle of the field but a Wildcat defender intercepted it. Modica stripped it away and scored from 20 yards out, ending the opening stanza at 4-0.
The hosts logged their final tally in the 67th minute as Mallory McKenna kicked a ball in front of the goal to Mattison who popped it up to Billings. The Carver, Mass. product took aim and fired a left-footer past the SUNY Poly keeper. Ezzo made a save and Mia Forsberg recorded her first career shot on goal in the final 23 minutes as the Spartans held on for a 5-0 victory.
The Spartans return to Little East Conference action this Saturday, October 14 as they welcome UMass Dartmouth to Dave Wolk Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
