PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's soccer team completed its 2023 campaign with a draw against Southern Maine, 0-0.

Toby Ritzkowski scattered a game-high five shots with two on net. The Spartans (4-11-3, 1-4-3 LEC) out-attempted the Huskies (4-9-5, 2-4-2 LEC) five shots on goal to three with Matt Spiller, Stanley Andersen, and Andres Soto-Burgos booting one apiece. Soto-Burgos posted his third clean sheet of the year in a three-save performance.

Southern Maine controlled proceedings in the first half with a corner margin of 2-0 and a three-shot offensive edge. However, the Spartans turned up the temperature in the final 45 minutes via nine shots and a pair of corner kicks. A penalty kick opportunity that bounced off the crossbar and almost across the line would not release VTSU Castleton's hold on possession.

An offensive flurry in the 82nd minute resulted in two Ritzkowski kicks being blocked before Spiller narrowly missed on a long-range dart. Ritzkowski put an 84th-minute try on goal but it was gathered by USM keeper Simon Gabaree. The Spartans drew a Husky yellow card with 14 seconds to go as Soto-Burgos lined up for a free kick and sent a well-placed cross into the middle, but Gabaree jumped in front to mark the contest as a tie.

VTSU Castleton finishes the 2023 season with a 4-11-3 record while going 1-4-3 in Little East Conference play.