CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton field hockey team earned its third Little East Conference victory of the season, taking down Keene State 6-1 Tuesday night.
 
The Spartans wasted no time finding the back of the cage three minutes into the first quarter, with Arianna Spiezio knocking the ball in off a quick pass from Peyton Richardson. The Owls closed out the first quarter with one shot on goal, saved by Zoe Martin. The second quarter was quiet, with neither side scoring. The Spartans entered halftime with a 1-0 lead.
 
The Spartans opened the third quarter with a penalty corner which resulted in Richardson taking a shot that was tipped in by Amelia Wilson for her ninth of the season. The Owls answered two minutes later, with Grace Bazin scoring the lone goal for the Owls. With five minutes left in the third quarter, the Spartans struck again. Jess Smithson found rookie Emilee Higgins on the far post off a penalty corner insertion, to put the Spartans up 3-1 going into the fourth quarter.
 
The Spartans came out shooting in the fourth, with three shots right out the gate, before the Owls took the ball down the field. Jennifer Erikson had two quick chances, both saved by Martin for her last two saves of the night to give her seven total. The Spartans had yet another penalty corner opportunity with Haley Lassen finding Smithson who loaded up for a hard hit past two defenders and the goalie to lead 4-1. The Spartans scored five minutes later with Richardson finding Ava LaRoss for her fourth goal of the season. Smithson finished out the scoring for the Spartans, finding the back of the cage off a pass from Higgins to secure the 6-1 victory.
 
The Spartans are on the road on Saturday, October 26 at Southern Maine for a 3 p.m. start.