CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton field hockey team earned its third overtime win of the season, 3-2 against Western New England Wednesday night.
 
The golden goal came five minutes into overtime, with Peyton Richardson scoring off a pass from Jess Smithson to secure the win.
 
The Golden Bears struck 10 minutes into the first quarter, but the Spartans had an answer just two minutes later. Haley Lassen dished out a pass to Smithson to even the score up going into the second quarter. Smithson scored her second of the night with five minutes remaining in the second quarter to put the Spartans up two to one at the half.
 
The Golden Bears earned multiple penalty corners in the third quarter before Mackenna Cooke found the back of the cage to tie the game. The Spartans then earned a penalty corner, with two shots blocked and one saved. The fourth quarter was a battle back-and-forth with both teams earning cards and penalty corners, none of which could be converted.
 
The Golden Bears started overtime down two women from yellow cards and were able to kill both penalties. Zoe Martin's sixth and final save of the night was huge as it allowed the Spartans to convert at the other end. The Spartans had one more penalty corner opportunity, with Amelia Wilson inserting the ball, and Smithson finding Richardson for the win.
 
The Spartans open Little East Conference play on Saturday, October 12 at WestConn at 4 p.m.