CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's lacrosse team returned to the win column with a 19-11 victory over Elms College on Thursday evening.
The Basics
Final Score: Castleton 19, Elms 11
Venue: Dave Wolk Stadium – Castleton, Vt.
Records: Castleton 2-6 | Elms 1-10
How it Happened
Rookie Lanza Bellomo won the opening draw before streaking down the field and feeding Renny Cota for the day's first score just 11 seconds into the contest.
The Spartans' next two goals came from behind the net, as the ball deflected off the Blazers' keeper and into the cage to give Castleton a 3-0 lead. The first score belonged to Halle Christian, followed by Cota's second of the game.
Elms responded with two goals to cut the deficit to 3-2 with five minutes left in the opening quarter. Both squads added one more before the end of the frame, with Castleton's coming from Cota to complete her first-quarter hat trick and give the Spartans a 5-4 edge after 15 minutes.
Castleton tacked on seven tallies in the second quarter compared to three from Elms, taking an 11-6 lead into halftime. The Spartan goals came from Bella Gale and Phoebe Loomis with two each, along with Bellomo, Christian, and Taylor Tallmadge. Two goals were scored while player-down, and one came on the man advantage.
The teams went goal-for-goal in the third quarter, each adding three to make it 15-9 heading into the final stanza. Christian, Bellomo, and Gale each found the back of the net in the frame.
Castleton pulled away in the fourth with four goals, including three unanswered to close out the game. Gracie Hurlbut recorded the 15th goal of the contest for the Spartans, marking the first of her collegiate career. Loomis added a pair of goals, the second of which was the 100th of her career. Gale also finished with five goals, playing a major role in the 19-11 victory.
By the Numbers
• Finishing a career day, Gale led the offense with seven points on five goals and two assists. She also scooped up six ground balls and caused three turnovers.
• Loomis followed with six points on four goals and two assists, along with a team-best nine draw controls, seven ground balls, and three caused turnovers.
• Four Spartans finished with three points: Christian, Cota, Tallmadge, and Bellomo.
• Samantha White earned the second win of her young career, making five saves.
What's Next
Castleton remains at home to host Rhode Island College in a 7 p.m. conference contest. The game will also serve as the team's annual Morgan's Message game.
