WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's soccer team went the distance for a 1-1 draw against Westfield State Tuesday afternoon. 

Toby Ritzkowski tied the game up after earning a penalty shot in the 89th minute. Castleton secured their fourth draw, while Westfield State tallied their fifth of the season. 

Westfield got off to a swift start with a goal in just under a minute play by Coleby Andrade to take a 1-0 lead. The Owls controlled most of the first half, outshooting the Spartans 10-2. Regardless of the Owl's high-powered offense start, Xander Berthiaume stayed strong and composed in net making four of his seven saves in the first half to keep the score at 1-0.

Castleton turned the tide in the second half, bringing the energy offensively and generating 12 shots to try and find the equalizer. The two teams battled, but the Spartans finally had the chance to even the game with 1:48 left. Westfield was called for a hard foul in the penalty area on a corner kick try, and the referee instantly pointed to the penalty spot for the kick.

Ritzkowski stepped up for the penalty kick and delivered it low to the left side for the game-tying goal and his first of the season. The final minute ticked off the clock and resulted in a well-fought draw by each side. 

VTSU Castleton returns to action on the road on Saturday, October 26 at noon against Little East Conference opponent UMass Boston.