BOSTON, Mass – The Vermont State University Castleton men's soccer team tied with UMass Boston in a scoreless outing on the road Saturday afternoon.
 
UMass Boston won the offensive battle, outshooting Castleton 18-3 shots on net, but it was first-year Xander Berthiaume who stole the show with a career-high 17 saves. The Spartans' strong defense efforts by Liam Cramer, Holden Crouthamel, Wyatt Robbie, and Jacob Barth kept the Beacons in check in the 0-0 draw.
 
The Beacons had a chance to go up in the 9th minute, but Berthiaume denied three attempts in just 11 seconds to keep the game level. The two teams battled up and down the field, but Boston managed to keep the play toward the Spartans' defensive side. Castleton generated opportunities in the 35th minute, with Seth Dube and Cramer each getting a look at goal, but nothing connected as the two teams ended the first half scoreless.
 
With the final minutes ticking away, the Beacons rallied for one more opportunity but would be shunned again by Berthiaume. Jair Whyte blasted a shot at Berthiaume, who made the save but couldn't keep the ball to himself. Rafael Gross followed up on the opportunity in hopes of netting a late game-winner but would be denied by a composed and recovered Berthiaume for his 17th save of the game. Berthiaume's efforts kept the game scoreless and resulted in the match ending in a draw.
 
VTSU Castleton wraps up regular season play with a home match against Southern Maine on Friday, November 1st at 5 p.m.