CASTLETON, Vt. – A second-half charge by RPI haunted the Vermont State University Castleton women's soccer team on Wednesday night, resulting in a 3-1 loss to the Engineers.
Emma Patrissi bagged her second goal this fall thanks to helpers by Alexis Billings and Lauren Fotter. Billings led the Spartans (1-4) with three shots including two on net. Holly Cudmore and Kristina O'Neil played all 90 minutes for the third consecutive game, safeguarding the box in which goalkeeper Emma Ezzo made eight stops.
VTSU Castleton jumped ahead early on with Patrissi's net-bound header in the 10th minute off a Billings corner kick and Fotter deflection. RPI (2-0-2) had a 6-1 shot advantage for the rest of the half but could not convert, giving the Spartans a 1-0 edge into the break.
The Engineers came into the second period on a tear, evening proceedings at 1-1 on Gwen Barnes' third goal of 2023. The visitors took the lead less than five minutes later when Bryanna Swinson headed in a corner kick off the foot of Veronica Martinez de Pinillos. Ezzo snatched up the next six RPI shots on goal, but an 82nd-minute tally by Barnes extended the gap and concluded the contest at 3-1.
The Spartans hit the road for their first Little East Conference matchup on Saturday, September 16 at Rhode Island College. Kickoff against the Anchorwomen is set for 2 p.m.
