CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State Castleton football team was unable to overcome the Worcester State Lancers as they fell 31-6 at home on Saturday afternoon.

The contest started out with a big forced fumble by Mike Morrissey that was covered by Davin McIver with 2:41 ticked off the clock. The following drive for the Spartans was 12 plays for 51 yards, before coming to an end at the Worcester 21.

Despite turning it over on downs on the first drive, VTSU Castleton showed that it was still in contention as Max Fair collected his first interception of the season, returning it for 20 yards before finally being halted with 5:12 remaining in the opening stanza.

Following a punt by the hosts, the Lancers were able to work their way onto the board with as Cam Ayotte connected with Lance Williams for a 33-yard touchdown. The extra-point attempt by Manuel Freitas was good to make it 7-0, visitors.

Just two possessions later the VTSU Castleton defense would come up big as Ian DeTulleo was able to intercept an Ayotte pass at the visitor's 34-yard line, returning it to the house for a Spartans' touchdown.

With just 1:47 remaining in the half Worcester drove down the field and recorded a Freitas 19-yard field goal to own a 10-6 advantage heading into halftime.

The visitors found the endzone at 7:49 as Ayotte found Drew von Klock for a 21-yard reception to go up 17-6 as the extra-point was also good.

Worcester would score twice more to make it 31-6 with 2:15 remaining in the contest.

Leading the Spartans defensively was DeTulleo and Fair with their interceptions, and Kevin McDonough with his 12 tackles (6 solo, 6 assisted).

Offensively, quarterbacks Wes Cournoyer and Tyson Hall traded time in the pocket. Hall led his team in rushing with his 43 yards on 10 attempts.

The Spartans return to action at 12 p.m. on Saturday as they host Bridgewater State in their last home contest of the season