DANBURY, Conn. – The Vermont State University Castleton field hockey team opened Little East Conference play Saturday evening, beating WestConn 5-0.
 
The Spartans outshot the Wolves 26-2, only allowing one shot on goal. Rookie Emily Higgins scored her first career goal, opening the scoring for the Spartans three minutes into the first quarter. Arianna Spiezio scored her second goal of the season six minutes later, from Haley Lassen and Emily Downing to lengthen the Spartans lead to 2-0 going into the second quarter. Amelia Wilson found the back of the cage with seven minutes left in the half, to put the Spartans up 3-0 heading into halftime.
 
Emily Downing scored her first goal of the day five minutes into the third quarter for her tenth of the season. Zoe Martin made her only save of the day with five minutes left in the third quarter to secure her fourth shutout of the season, leading the Little East in the shutout category. Downing scored her second goal of the day from Peyton Richardson to finish the scoring for the Spartans.
 
The Spartans are back in action at Dave Wolk Stadium on Friday, October 18 against Eastern Connecticut at 6 p.m.