CASTLETON, Vt. – Vermont State University Castleton field hockey shutout Skidmore in Friday night's contest, 3-0.
 
This is the Spartans' first victory over Skidmore in the modern era. Zoe Martin earned the victory and her first shutout of the season, Emily Harris notched two goals and an assist, Emily Downing tallied her first career goal, and Amelia Wilson grabbed an assist in the victory.
 
The Spartans brought the intensity to the Thoroughbreds defensive front. Out shooting Skidmore 6-0 in the first quarter. Skidmore held their ground for a good period of time, until Harris broke the seal, getting the Spartans on the board first with just under five minutes left in the first quarter. Castleton continued the attack, earning four penalty corners in just the first period alone. Wilson capitalized on the penalty corner opportunities, setting up Harris for her second goal of the game to make it 2-0 after one quarter.
 
Highlighting the second half was the defensive effort by Castleton. The Spartans played lockdown defense against the Thoroughbreds by breaking up passes, slowing down the counter attack, and limiting possession within the attacking zone. Sophomore Maggie Schwartz was the highlight of the defense, keeping Skidmore off the board with her defensive save halfway through the fourth quarter. Martin turned away Skidmore's late push to try and get back into the game, nabbing a couple saves to keep the game scoreless.
 
Castleton found one more counter attack opportunity in the fourth, clearing the ball from the defensive zone and finding Harris open up top. Harris maneuvered past the last defender, rush the keeper, and find Downing to put away the game for the Spartans.
 
VTSU Castleton will be back in action for their Spartans Fight Cancer game, Sunday September, 17 at noon against Bridgewater St.