CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton University women's lacrosse team played its first game of the season at home on Wednesday night, falling to Union 18-3 at Dave Wolk Stadium.
 
The Spartans drop to 0-2 on the young season while Union improves to 1-1 on the year. Union outshot Castleton 35-11 with a 30-5 margin on goal. The Spartans went 7-of-16 on the clear while Union converted 10-of-14 clears. The Dutchwomen had a 25-15 lead in ground balls and 16-9 advantage in draw controls.
 
Kimberly McCarthy netted her second hat trick in as many games this season, scoring all three Spartan goals. Lacey Greenamyre and Tien Connor had assists. Greenamyre and Phoebe Loomis tied for a team-high four draw controls. Megan Ward collected three ground balls. Katie Opiela saved 12 shots in goal for Castleton.
 
Elena Gerrato racked up five points on four goals and an assist for Union, while Anna Smith and Sarah Murphy chipped in two goals and an assist each. Maddie Doyle had one goal and two helpers. Morgan Adams collected seven draw controls and six ground balls, both game-high marks. Sydney Widlitz was credited with the win after making one first-half save before giving way to Hannah Dubinsky in the second half.
 
The Dutchwomen led 15-0 at halftime, but Castleton battled tightly in the second half as the score was 3-3 over the final 30 minutes of play. McCarthy's first goal came less than three minutes into the second half, and her second goal came just three minutes later to make it 15-2. After Union broke her scoring streak, McCarthy tallied her third of the game with 11:33 to play in the final quarter. The Dutchwomen scored the last two goals to cap the score at 18-3.
 
The Spartans return home on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they host Russell Sage College at Dave Wolk Stadium.