ALBANY, N.Y. - The Vermont State University Castleton women's lacrosse team played their second game of the 2024 season on Saturday afternoon, falling on the road to Russell Sage 12-6.
 
The Gators (2-2) outshot the Spartans (0-2) 41-18 overall and 22-12 on goal. The Spartan defense caused 12 turnovers on the day and collected 30 ground balls. Russell Sage had the edge on draw controls 11-9 and ground balls 37-30.
 
Gianna Geraci and Megan Ward each had two points for the Spartans, with both contributing two goals. Phoebe Loomis and Tien Connor added a goal each as well. Ward led the Spartans with nine ground balls and seven draw controls in the contest, with Kimberly McCarthy contributing six and Geraci adding four. Ward and Geraci also led the Spartans with three caused turnovers each. Liv Cormier made 10 saves in goal for the Spartans.
 
Grace Hines led Russell Sage in points with seven, all coming from goals. Alexandra Queeney contributed five points, and Maddison Walter four. Queeney contributed two goals and dished out three assists while Walter contributed two goals and two assists on the day. Aimee Rodriguez, Walter, and Hines all picked up five ground balls, while Rodriguez caused four turnovers. Jaia Caron had six saves in net for Russell Sage.
 
The Spartans struck first with just over eight minutes to go in the first quarter off a shot from Ward. Russell Sage would score two unanswered goals in the final 3:30 of the quarter with goals from Marissa Key and Hines off an assist from Queeney. With 30 seconds left in the first quarter, Geraci answered with a woman-down goal to tie it at 2-2 going into the second quarter. The second quarter would go back-and-forth with two goals for the Spartans from Ward and Geraci, while Russell Sage would score one by Hines with Ashley Hearn dishing out the assist.
 
Leading 4-3 at the break, the Spartans opened the second with a goal from Loomis to give the visitors a 5-3 lead. Russell Sage responded with five unanswered goals to end the third, leading 8-5 with 15 minutes to play.
 
They Gators opened the final quarter of play with three more goals by Hines, Queeney, and Hines again before Connor scored on a free-position attempt to stop the bleeding. Sage tacked on one more score in the fourth to cap the contest at 12-6.
 
The Spartans return to play on Tuesday when they play at home for the first time this season against Curry at 7 p.m. under the lights of Dave Wolk Stadium.