CASTLETON, Vt. – Vermont State University Castleton fall student-athletes gathered in the Casella Theatre on Monday evening to celebrate their achievements, with each program naming a Team MVP and the President's Cup for Academic Excellence being awarded.

The women's soccer program received the President's Cup for Academic Excellence from Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Fitness Deanna Tyson. The award is presented each season to the team with the highest cumulative grade point average, marking the team's second consecutive year earning the honor.

Football
The football team faced a challenging new conference head-on, finishing the season with a 2-8 record while retaining the Maple Sap Bucket Trophy after a convincing 30-8 win over Norwich University on Sept. 13. Team MVP Tyler Buxton totaled 69 tackles, leading the team with 37 solo stops. He also recorded a team-best 10 tackles for loss, added two sacks for 18 yards, forced three fumbles, recovered one, blocked two kicks, broke up two passes, tallied one interception, and consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks.

Men's Soccer
The men's soccer team battled to a 6-10-1 record, with seven of its losses decided by just one goal. The season finale—a 1-1 tie with Keene State—had postseason implications, as it kept the Owls from advancing to the Little East Conference tournament. Team MVP Michael O'Connor played all 90 minutes in that match. The senior midfielder logged a career-high 12 points on the season, including five goals and two assists. He posted a three-point performance against Paul Smith's College and scored the game-winner in a 1-0 victory over SUNY Potsdam. O'Connor played 1,569 minutes, earned All-LEC Second Team honors, and was selected for the NEISL Senior All-Star Game.

Women's Soccer
The women's soccer team narrowly missed a berth in the Little East Conference tournament, finishing just one spot outside the field after going 3-5 in conference play and 8-11 overall. Senior captain and Team MVP Mallory McKenna anchored the lineup, starting 17 of 18 matches and logging 1,320 minutes. Her efforts earned her a place on the Fall 2025 LEC All-Academic Team.

Men's Golf
The men's golf team wrapped up its first season under head coach Mike Hathorn with a sixth-place finish at the Little East Conference Championship. Team MVP Sam Knight led the Spartans with a fifth-place finish, knocking seven strokes off his first-round score to post an 80 with two birdies and eight pars. The first-year golfer earned First Team All-LEC honors and was named Rookie of the Week on October 6 after tying for fifth at the USM Husky Invitational with an even-par 72.

Women's Cross Country
The women's cross country team was led by Team MVP Bethany Davis, earning the honor for the third time after also being recognized in 2024 and 2022. The senior ran her best 6k time of the season—25:00.4—at the WNE Golden Bear Invitational on October 18, placing 26th. She was also named to the Fall 2025 LEC All-Academic Team.

Men's Cross Country
First-year runner Nathan Benson earned Team MVP honors after competing in two races for the Spartans. His best performance came at the WNE Golden Bear Invitational on October 18, where he paced the squad with an 8k time of 37:35.6.

Field Hockey
The field hockey team made its third straight appearance in the Little East Conference tournament, advancing to the semifinals. The Spartans finished the season 8-11 overall and 3-3 in conference action. Team MVP Jess Smithson earned her second consecutive LEC Defensive Player of the Year award and First Team selection. The team captain was also named to the NFHCA Collegiate Senior Team after recording a career-best 11 defensive saves—second-most in the conference—and contributing offensively with 12 points (5g, 2a), ranking third on the team.

Volleyball
The Castleton volleyball team finished just shy of a .500 record at 13-14 and secured its first-ever LEC win with a 3-1 victory over the University of Southern Maine on November 1. Team MVP Nicolette Vaughn had an outstanding season, setting the program's Single-Season Digs record with 432 in 95 sets—112 more than the next-highest total. She added 21 service aces and 79 assists.

Women's Tennis
The women's tennis team battled through a tough schedule to finish 2-9, with four close losses. Team MVP Stella Forte provided consistent energy, going 4-6 in singles play and 3-7 in doubles. She was named LEC Player of the Week on September 1 after defeating VTSU Johnson 6-0 in doubles with partner Madelyn Nonni and earning a No. 1 singles victory (6-3, 6-0). Forte also earned a spot on the 2025 LEC All-Academic Team.

Women's Rugby
The women's rugby team finished the season at 3-3, earning wins over UMass-Lowell (7-0), Saint Michael's College (55-22), and Merrimack College (34-20). First-year standout and Team MVP Samantha Hallock scored the team's lone try in a hard-fought match against Bentley University.