CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's lacrosse team lost a handle on what started as a close contest with Nichols College on Monday afternoon, falling 16-10.

The Basics

• Final Score: Nichols 16, VTSU Castleton 10
• Location: Dave Wolk Stadium – Castleton, Vt.
• Records: Nichols 3-0 | Castleton 1-4

How it Happened
Nichols College scored quickly to open up a quick 2-0 lead within the first four minutes of the contest. Castleton was able to find an answer with a Renny Cota free position goal at 9:26. It would take just 23 seconds for the visitors to regain their two-goal advantage, 3-1. The hosts were able to again cut the advantage to one as Brianna Paul recorded her ninth goal of the season on a free position shot at 7:30. The two squads again traded goals to see the score 4-3, with the Spartans' score coming off the stick of Megan Ward at 6:16. The Bison were able to pull together two goals before Castleton closed out the quarter with Ward's second goal of the day to make it 6-4.

The visitors went on a three-goal run in the second stanza, finally halted by Cota in the waning seconds, helped along by Bella Gale to make it 9-5 Nichols at the half.

Castleton scored the first of the second half, this time it was Gale with the score and Cota with the assist to make it a three-goal game at 12:30, 9-6. The Bison were able to pull together another run, this time four goals to gain a seven-goal advantage, 13-6. The Spartans were finally able to find a response at 1:59 as Phoebe Loomis scored her fifth goal of the season, assisted by Paul.  Nichols was able to tack on one more score to make it 14-7 heading into the final frame.

It was Cota who opened the scoring in the fourth quarter to finish off her hat trick and pull her squad within six goals (12:15). Hadley Houghton scored for the opposition to again grow the deficit to seven before Paul was successful on the man-up advantage, helped along by Kailyn August to make it 15-9 with 6:25 remaining on the clock.

Both teams would score once more before time ran out on the day, the visitors striking first while Paul completed her hat trick on a free position with two seconds remaining on the clock to make the final score 16-10.

Top Performers

• Cota and Paul both finished the day with four points as they matched each other's efforts of three goals and one assist.
• Ward collected two goals, scooped up four ground balls and caused one turnover.
• Gale collected her first two points of her collegiate career on a goal and an assist.
• Loomis led the team with four draw controls, which she paired with her one goal.
• August and Hana Doria each caused two turnovers while August recorded an assist.
• Katie Stager had her best appearance in the crease, making 10 saves.

What's Next
The Spartans will hit the road on Thursday as they travel to Northfield, Vt. to take on the Cadets of Norwich University, set for a 7:00 p.m. draw.