CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's lacrosse team dropped its home opener to Rivier University on Tuesday evening, 14-9.

The Basics
• Final Score: Rivier 14, VTSU Castleton 9
• Location: Dave Wolk Stadium – Castleton, Vt.
• Records: Rivier 1-1 | Castleton 1-2

How it Happened
The Raiders were able to find the back of the goal first as they capitalized on a Megan Ward green card, going up 1-0 (12:46). This sparked a response from the Spartans as Ward answered with a man-down free-position goal to tie it before adding her second score of the day just over a minute later, helped along by Brianna Paul to give them a 2-1 lead. Two cards by the hosts allowed Rivier to put up two man-up goals, taking a 3-2 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Castleton scored 28 seconds into the second frame to knot the game at 3-3, the goal coming from the stick of Bella Gale, assisted by Renny Cota. The two teams would trade goals back and forth throughout the quarter, seeing two ties and three lead changes before coming to a 6-6 stalemate heading into the break. Spartan goals over the stretch were scored by Ward, Paul, and Phoebe Loomis.

The third quarter started in much the same way, with Castleton going up 7-6 off a Cota free-position goal before Rivier made it even at 7-all. The visitors then scored the next two goals to own a 9-7 advantage heading into the final stanza.

Rivier began to pull away in the fourth, scoring four goals in six minutes before finally being brought to a halt as Cota was able to capitalize on a Shaelyn Burke green card for a man-up goal, making it 13-8 with 6:44 remaining. The Raiders posted their last goal of the game at 2:08 as Cassie Hemmerdinger found Ashlynn Ledoux for her fourth of the day. Unwavering, Paul scored the Spartans' final goal as time expired on a dish from Gale to make it 14-9.

Top Performers
Ward had another strong outing as she picked up a hat trick in the loss. She also added six ground balls, four draw controls, and two caused turnovers. Paul and Cota each put up two goals, with the former dishing out two assists and the latter, one. Gale finished the day with two points on a goal and an assist, while Loomis pitched in with one goal.

Courtney Magee continues to be a force on defense as she picked up eight ground balls and caused six turnovers.

Recording six saves in the loss was Katie Stager.

What's Next
Castleton will hit the road on Saturday as it travels to Mount Saint Mary College (N.Y.) for a 1 p.m. draw.