CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton Student Athletic Advisory Committee named Jess Smithson of the field hockey team and Matt Spiller of the men's soccer team as October's Athletes of the Month.

Smithson combined for three goals and two assists on the month for eight points, adding three defensive saves for the Spartans. Smithson is third on the team with points on the season, with 10 points from four goals and two assists. She currently leads the team with 11 defensive saves, ranking her third in the Little East Conference and sixth nationally among Division III players. She was named the LEC Defensive Player of the Week last week as Castleton went 2-0 in conference play, with wins over Plymouth State and UMass Dartmouth.

Spiller combined for one goal and four assists over the month, with two assists against UMass Dartmouth and VTSU Johnson. Spiller led the team this season with 18 points from five goals and eight assists, including two game-winning goals. His eight assists put him second in the Little East Conference, with a .500 average of assists per game.

Looking ahead, Smithson and the field hockey team host Husson for tomorrow's (November 1) senior day match, set for 12 p.m. Spiller and the men's soccer team saw their season come to a close on Wednesday with a 1-1 draw against Keene State.