CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's soccer team shut out Bard College in their final home contest of the regular season, 2-0 Wednesday afternoon.
 
Emma Kirby and Maggie McKearin tallied the Spartans' goals, while Lily Modica and Maggie Parker each dished out an assist in the victory. Emma Ezzo and Ella Hall split halves to share the shutout.
 
Castleton was in the driver's seat from start to finish, outshooting the Raptors 7-1 on target and possessing the ball for most of the match. The Spartans' passing ability set them up to create and capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities.
 
Three Spartans passed their way down the right wing, with Modica crossing the final pass to find Kirby who used her head to pop the ball straight over the keeper and give Castleton a 1-0 lead late in the first half.
 
Gwen Bridges and Kristina O'Neil saw a full 90 minutes of action due to their shutdown ability at the center-back positions. With the duo leading the defensive unit, the Raptors began to build frustration trying to get level once again.
 
With the energy and tactical gameplay, the Spartans brought, they were able to intercept multiple passes the Raptors were trying to connect on. Alexis Billings intercepted a dull ball from Bard in the middle of the field and played a deep ball to Parker down the right-hand side. Parker stayed composed and waited for the Spartans to get forward before delivering the cross to McKearin, who drove straight to the front of the net and buried the play past the keeper for Castleton's second goal and her 12th of the year.
 
With the victory, the Spartans improved to 8-9-1 on the year heading into their final contest of the season, where they take on Southern Maine on the road, Saturday November 2 at noon.