CASTLETON, Vt. – Three first-half scores paced the Vermont State University Castleton men's soccer team to a shutout of SUNY Canton, 3-0, Monday evening at Dave Wolk Stadium.

Ayoob Musanovic, Matt Spiller, and Tanner Curtis, all sophomores, tallied their second goals of the season while Lucas McCane collected his first assist on the Spartans' (4-7) final strike. JP Maul had a stellar night in goal as the senior keeper recorded 10 saves in his second career clean sheet.

The Kangaroos (2-7-1) put a pair of shots on net in the opening moments, but a booming goal kick from Maul found Musanovic who beat one defender and delivered the go-ahead dart. VTSU Castleton received another opportunity just eight minutes into the contest when visiting goalie Jason Meneses was carded for diving on a ball outside the penalty area. Spiller stepped up for a free kick and launched a bullet into the twine to extend the gap to 2-0.

As the half wore on, SUNY Canton tested Maul with three on-target attempts including a near miss when a Dylan Vanderpool shot tagged the inside of the right post. Handling possession on the sideline at midfield in the 33rd minute, McCane floated a pass to Curtis who dashed past a Roo to receive the feed and slid a shot around Meneses to make it a 3-0 advantage.

The second stanza proceeded in back-and-forth fashion with neither side converting on scoring chances as Maul amassed a second five-save half. Musanovic, Seth Dube, and Liam Wilson saw on-goal shots get denied but an oppressive defense held the Roos off, allowing the Spartans to chalk up a non-conference triumph.

The Spartans return to Little East Conference play this Saturday, October 7 when they welcome Plymouth State. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.