MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton field hockey team traveled up Route 30 to do battle with No. 1 Middlebury College, which looks to defend its seventh-consecutive NCAA title. The hosting Panthers were victorious.
The Basics
•
Final Score: #1 Middlebury 10, VTSU Castleton 0
•
Location: Peter Kohn Field – Middlebury, Vt.
•
Records: Middlebury 1-0 | VTSU Castleton 0-2
How It Happened
It took just 45 seconds for Middlebury to earn its first penalty corner of the contest, firing its first shot on goal three seconds later for a
Zoe Martin save. The rebound bounced back into the field of play and was cleaned up by Abigail Weidner for the first goal of the contest. Middlebury was able to find the back of the cage once more before the end of the first quarter, owning a 2-0 advantage.
The second quarter started off with
Jess Smithson's second defensive save of the season with nine seconds off the clock. The hosts would find the back of the goal two more times before the end of the first half, leading 4-0 after 30 minutes.
Castleton was able to keep the scoring to a minimum in the third quarter, going nine minutes with no scores, only allowing two goals, while Martin made six saves. The Spartans recorded their second defensive save of the evening when
Hana Doria stepped up to keep it 7-0. The Panthers scored once more before time ran out, making it 8-0 heading into the final 15-minute period.
In goal, Martin made two saves to start the fourth quarter before letting up a score with 1:11 off the clock to push Middlebury's lead to 9-0. Middlebury was able to find the back of the cage once more before time expired, claiming a 10-0 win.
By the Numbers
• Martin stood tall under pressure, making 14 saves against the top-ranked offense.
• On defense, both Smithson and Doria made defensive saves.
• The Spartans pitched in on the defensive effort, recording four blocks.
What's Next
The Spartans will remain on the road as they travel to New York on Saturday, set to do battle with the Red Dragons of SUNY Oneonta. The contest is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start time.
