CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton University women's lacrosse team hosted WestConn in a Little East Conference game on Friday evening, falling 17-1 to the Wolves.
 
The Spartans donned special Morgan's Message warm-up shirts prior to the game, partnering with the organization to help eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and the need for treatment. For more information about Morgan's Message, click here. Castleton also hosted members of the Boys & Girls Club of Rutland County at the event, creating a fun atmosphere for local children to enjoy and contest.
 
 The Spartans (2-8, 0-2 LEC) were outshot 39-12 by WestConn (8-2, 2-0 LEC), with a 25-5 margin in shots on goal. Ground balls were nearly equal with WestConn collecting 21 to Castleton's 17 and both sides cleared the ball at similar rates. The Wolves controlled 15-of-21 draw controls in the contest.
 
Megan Ward scored Castleton's lone goal in the contest, striking in the third quarter on a free-position shot. Colleen Sheridan and Phoebe Loomis had three ground balls each while Ward caused two WestConn turnovers. Lacey Greenamyre snagged four draw controls for Castleton. Katie Opiela made eight saves in goal for Castleton.
 
Vicky Gracy and Colleen Foley had four goals and an assist each in the contest to lead the WestConn offense, with Foley also tying for the team lead with four ground balls and two caused turnovers. Meghan Lorenzen had seven draw controls. Anna Schipf and Molly Bresnahan split time in goal, with Schipf earning the win with four first-half saves.
 
WestConn led 5-0 after 15 minutes and 10-0 at halftime. The lead stretch to 11-0 before Ward drew a foul and buried the free-position shot to get Castleton on the board. That was all the offense the Spartans could muster against a tough WestConn defense, with the Wolves adding on three more third-quarter goals and three final fourth-quarter scores before the final horn.
 
Castleton is back in action against in-state rival NVU-Lyndon on the road on Wednesday at 5 p.m.