KEENE, N.H. – The Vermont State University Castleton men's lacrosse team dropped a tough Little East Conference matchup on the road Wednesday evening, falling to Keene State 11-5 at the Owl Athletic Complex.
The Basics
How It Happened
Keene State opened the game with a fast-paced offensive burst, netting three unanswered goals in the first quarter and five more in the second to take an 8-1 lead into halftime. The Spartans' lone first-half goal came late in the second quarter from freshman Braydon Goddard, assisted by Carter Frankenhoff.
Castleton showed signs of life coming out of halftime, as Goddard scored again to open the third quarter, this time on a feed from Ethan Esposito. Carter Frankenhoff then tallied a goal of his own less than three minutes later to cut the deficit to six. Despite the push, Keene State maintained control, scoring three second-half goals to hold off the Spartans.
Liam Evarts made an impact late in the fourth quarter, scoring back-to-back goals with assists from Hunter Sarro and Carter Frankenhoff, respectively. However, Castleton was unable to close the gap further.
Zac Smith delivered a stellar performance in net despite the loss, making a season-high 27 saves while facing a relentless Keene State attack. His efforts helped prevent a wider margin, anchoring a defense that saw extended time in their own zone.
What's Next
VTSU Castleton returns to action Saturday, April 19, as the Spartans travel to Massachusetts Maritime Academy for another LEC matchup. Faceoff is set for 10:00 a.m.
