CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's soccer team tied Westfield State in a hard fought game resulting in a 2-2 tie at home on Tuesday night at Dave Wolk Stadium. 
 
Junior Emma Ezzo was a standout in the contest registering 16 saves against the Owls. Maggie McKearin led the Spartans by tallying a goal and an assist with Rylee Pepin scoring as well. Sophomore Emma Kirby also contributed in the Spartans' draw by providing her first assist on the year.
 
The Spartans battled with the Owls in a back-and-forth, non-conference matchup trying to secure their seventh win of the year. Both teams showcased early offensive ability, leading to a high-scoring first half.
 
Westfield State's Delaney Parker opened the scoring early with a goal four minutes into the match. The Spartans responded with a hustle play made by Kirby down the left wing that resulted in McKearin finding the back of the net to tie the game at one a-piece. Feeding off of this energy, Castleton's Pepin blasted a shot from the top of the box off of a great feed from McKearin to put the Spartans ahead 2-1 in the 33rd minute.  
 
The Owls fought their way back into the game in the second half with Delaney Parker's second goal of the match coming in the 75th minute to tie the game at two. Westfield State had a chance in the 80th minute coming off of a corner kick, but was denied by an outstanding save from Ezzo.
 
Despite the Owls outshooting the Spartans 34-7, Ezzo's strong presence in net kept the Spartans in the contest, resulting in their first draw of the season.
 
VTSU Castleton welcomes the Panthers of Plymouth State to Dave Wolk Stadium for a Little East Conference matchup Saturday, October 12th for a 1 p.m. kickoff.