GORHAM, Maine – The Vermont State University Castleton women's lacrosse team dropped its first Little East Conference contest of the season, 15-6, to the University of Southern Maine on Saturday morning.

The Basics
Final Score: Southern Maine 15, Castleton 6
Venue: Hannaford Stadium – Gorham, Maine
Records: Southern Maine x-x (1-0 LEC) | Castleton 1-3 (0-1 LEC)

How It Happened
Host Southern Maine went on an 11-goal scoring run that spanned two periods before Castleton was able to break through with its first tally of the day. Phoebe Loomis got the Spartans on the board at the 4:46 mark of the second quarter, finishing a pass from classmate Renny Cota, to make it 11-1 heading into the break.
USM added two more in the third quarter, while Castleton answered with a goal from Lanza Bellomo to keep the deficit at 13-2.
The Spartans found their most offensive success in the final stanza, outscoring the Huskies 3-2. Loomis netted the first two goals of the quarter—one on a player-up advantage and the other assisted by Bellomo.
Cota, assisted by Taylor Tallmadge, and Halle Christian also found the back of the net, but the late push proved too little, too late as Castleton fell 15-6.

By the Numbers
• Loomis led the team with a hat trick, while Cota and Bellomo each recorded two points on a goal and an assist.
• Loomis also led the team with three draw controls.
• Defensively, Courtney Magee led the way with three caused turnovers and three ground balls.
• Samantha White made seven saves in net and scooped up six ground balls.

What's Next
Castleton will travel to Rivier University on Thursday, March 26, for a 5 p.m. non-conference contest.