DUDLEY, Mass. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's lacrosse team suffered an 18-6 defeat at the hands of Nichols College on Monday afternoon, falling in a contest that was rescheduled from Saturday's snow storm.
 
Carter Frankenhoff netted a hat-trick in the contest with Casey Meczywor and Jordan Damske notching a goal and an assist each. Cam Frankenhoff also had a goal for the Spartans and Zac Smith made a team-best 10 saves out of the three netminders that saw action. Preston Kozlowski's three ground balls led the team and Jonah Janaro caused a pair of turnovers for the Spartan defense.
 
Nichols (5-3) held a 50-31 edge in shots and 30-17 edge in shots on goal over the Spartans (1-6) in the contest. VTSU Castleton had fewer turnovers, but managed just 14-of-21 on the clear where Nichols went 12-of-13 in the same category. The Bison stampeded their way to a 43-13 edge in ground balls and won 23 out of 27 face-offs on the day.
 
CJ Cadigan had four goals and an assist to notch five points for Nichols, but Colby Gillis' six points were a game-high thanks to a goal and five assists. Travis Arnold won 15 face-offs and nabbed 12 ground balls. Brady Morgan made eight saves between the pipes for the win for Nichols.
 
The Bison ran ahead 4-0 midway through the first quarter before the Spartan defense settled and held them off the board the rest of the frame. Carter Frankenhoff struck first in the second to make it 4-1, but three more Nichols goals made it 7-1 Bison at the half.
 
The second half saw both offenses come alive, with Nichols pulling ahead 13-1 before Damske scored for the Spartans. Trailing 15-2 late, Cam Frankenhoff and Meczywor scored consecutive goals for VTSU Castleton. Carter Frankenhoff scored the final two goals of the contest just 25 seconds apart to give the game its final score.
 
The Spartans are slated to take on Norwich Wednesday night at Dave Wolk Stadium in the annual Connor Roberts Memorial Game. Opening face-off is set for 7 p.m.