DARTMOUTH, Mass. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's soccer team narrowly fell 3-2 on Saturday to Little East Conference opponent UMass Dartmouth.
The Basics:
- Final Score: 3-2 UMass Dartmouth
- Location: Dartmouth, Mass. – Cressy Field
- Records: 7-4-1 (3-1-1 LEC) UMass Dartmouth | 4-7-0 Castleton (0-4-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Corsairs struck early, giving themselves a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute on the first play of the game before Xander Berthiaume made his first four saves of the day in the following 10 minutes.
- The Spartans spent most of the first half defending their end as Berthiaume racked up six saves, and the back line worked to keep the Corsairs out.
- Castleton worked its way into the offensive end of the field in the second half, as Michael O'Connor fired off two shots before the Spartans earned a corner kick opportunity in the 49th minute, but could not convert.
- UMass Dartmouth tacked on another goal in the 57th minute, extending their lead to two.
- El Hadji Iba Sy answered back in the 58th minute, as Matt Spiller found him on a long cross right in front of the keeper, and Sy was able to get a foot out on it to cut the Corsairs' lead in half.
- In the 83rd minute, the Corsairs struck for the third time, taking a 3-1 lead with time winding down.
- O'Connor found the back of the net on a rebound in the 86th minute, but it was not enough as UMass Dartmouth walked away with a narrow 3-2 win.
By the Numbers:
- Berthiaume finished the day with eight saves through 90 minutes, for a new season-high.
- Sy, O'Connor, Tanner Curtis, and Nate Lurie registered the four shots on goal for the Spartans.
What's Next
The team returns to Dave Wolk Stadium for a meeting with VTSU Johnson on Tuesday, October 7, with kick off set for 7 p.m.