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Four Spartans take on a defensive corner
Burgess Gove
0
Vermont State Castleton VERMONT (8-11)
2
Winner Eastern Conn. St. EASTERN (12-8)
Vermont State Castleton VERMONT
(8-11)
0
Final
2
Eastern Conn. St. EASTERN
(12-8)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Vermont State Castleton VERMONT 0 0 0 0 0
Eastern Conn. St. EASTERN 0 1 0 1 2

Game Recap: Field Hockey |

Field Hockey Closes out Season in Semifinals at Eastern Connecticut

MANSFIELD, Conn. – The fourth-seeded Vermont State University Castleton field hockey team saw its 2025 campaign come to a close Thursday afternoon, falling 2-0 to top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University in the Little East Conference Semifinals.
 
The Basics
  • Final Score: Eastern Connecticut 2, VTSU Castleton 0
  • Location: Rick McCarthy Field – Mansfield, Conn.
  • Records: Eastern Connecticut (12-8) | Castleton (8-11)
 
How It Happened
The opening quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams managing just one shot apiece. Castleton's lone look came from Jess Smithson, whose attempt was blocked to keep the game scoreless after 15 minutes.

Eastern Connecticut broke through early in the second quarter, capitalizing on a rebound in front of goal. After an initial save on Emma Sanson's shot, Soph Ash buried the rebound in the 19th minute to put the Warriors ahead 1-0. The hosts carried that advantage into halftime as neither side could generate additional offense in the frame.

The Spartans applied steady pressure in the third quarter, registering a pair of shots on goal and two more that were blocked by defenders. Their best chance came in the final minutes, earning five penalty corners in just over a minute, but the Warriors defense held strong.

Eastern Connecticut sealed the win with 21 seconds remaining when Sanson converted a penalty stroke for her second points of the day, advancing the Warriors to the LEC Championship.
 
By the Numbers
  • In her final collegiate appearance, Zoe Martin made two saves. She concludes her career as Castleton's all-time leader in saves (495) and wins (47), while ranking second in program history in goals-against average (2.45).
  • Smithson led the Spartans with four shots, and Ava LaRoss recorded a team-high two shots on goal.
  • Castleton outpaced Eastern Connecticut in penalty corners, 12-3.
 
Season Wrap-Up
The Spartans close the 2025 season with an overall record of 8-11 and a 3-3 mark in conference play, finishing fourth in the Little East standings. The program will graduate six seniors while returning 15 players poised to build on this year's playoff run next fall.
 
 
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