NORTHFIELD, Vt. — The Vermont State University Castleton women's soccer team fired on all cylinders Sunday afternoon, shutting out Norwich, 6-0.
The Spartans' (1-1) five-scorer offensive attack was led by Rylee Pepin with two goals for the junior's first career brace. Pepin, Emma Patrissi, and Brytney Moore added tallies against the Cadets (1-1) for the second consecutive meeting, while freshmen Gwen Bridges and Emma Kirby logged their first collegiate goals. Alexis Billings dished out a pair of assists as Megan Ezzo, Lily Modica, and Becky Hannwacker chipped in one dime apiece. Norwich was held to three shots, the lone on-target attempt being saved by Emma Ezzo.
After knocking on the Cadets' door early, Patrissi tapped in a rebounded shot from Billings in the 12th minute to obtain the lead. Just minutes later, Billings sent a pass to Pepin on the left wing who lofted in a bending shot to the upper right corner. The Spartans made it 3-0 when Modica booted a corner kick into the box as Bridges charged in, extending her leg to deflect the ball inside the right post for her first career goal.
VTSU Castleton continued to roll after the halftime break with a 25-yard dart from Pepin in the 52nd minute, upping the score to four-nil. Later in the half, Hannwacker dashed past a defender to deliver a cross into the left side of the box to a waiting Moore whose header cut inside the Norwich goalkeeper into pay dirt. In the contest's 86th minute, the Cadets produced a breakaway opportunity but the shot from the top of the box missed wide left. With time winding down, Maggie McKearin redirected a Norwich goal kick to a sprinting Kirby as the Nutley, N.J. product scooted the ball around the keeper for her first collegiate shot and score.
With the victory, the program extends its winning streak against the Cadets that began in 2009 to seven.
The Spartans direct their focus to next weekend's Manchester Women's College Cup and the opening match with Williams on Saturday, September 9. Kickoff at Applejack Stadium is at 1 p.m.
