CASTLETON, Vt. – The Vermont State University Castleton women's lacrosse team defeated the Anchorwomen of Rhode Island College Saturday evening, earning a 21-9 decision at Dave Wolk Stadium.

The Basics
Final Score: Castleton 21, Rhode Island College 9
Venue: Dave Wolk Stadium – Castleton, Vt.
Records: Castleton 3-6 (1-2 LEC) | RIC 1-7 (0-3 LEC)

How it Happened
Rhode Island College, which played the entirety of the contest with just 10 athletes (nine field players), struck first, scoring 1:57 into the game. Both teams struggled to find offensive rhythm early, but Castleton broke through in the 10th minute as Megan Culp converted her first free position goal of the day to tie the game at 2-2.

Both squads added one goal apiece, keeping the score even at 3-3 following a Renny Cota tally. Cota added the Spartans' fourth goal moments later, igniting a five-goal run that put Castleton ahead 6-2 with three minutes remaining in the opening quarter.

Bella Gale, Taylor Tallmadge, and Lanza Bellomo each scored during the stretch. Both sides added one more before the end of the period, with Tallmadge netting Castleton's goal to make it 7-3.

Castleton accounted for all four goals in the second quarter. Cota scored twice, while Gale and Taylor Gleeson each added one. Gleeson's free position goal marked the first of her collegiate career as the Spartans carried an 11-3 lead into halftime.

Gale and Tallmadge each scored in the first two minutes of the third quarter before RIC stopped the run with a man-up goal at the 11:05 mark, making it 13-4.

The Spartans added three more goals in the period, with Bellomo and Gale each recording a goal and an assist. Culp and Cota each tallied assists during the stretch. The visitors scored twice late in the quarter to make it 16-6 heading into the final frame.

RIC opened the fourth quarter with two goals before Gale and Tallmadge responded, including a man-down goal, followed by a Cota score off a Gale assist.

After one more RIC goal, the Spartans closed the game on a three-goal run to secure the 21-9 victory. The final goals came from Bellomo on a free position attempt, Tallmadge from Cota, and an unassisted marker by Culp.

By the Numbers

• Cota recorded a career day with eight points on five goals and three assists.
• Tallmadge (4g, 3a) and Gale (6g, 1a) each finished with seven points.
• In her first collegiate appearance in goal, Gracie Hurlbut earned the win with four saves.
• The defense totaled 20 caused turnovers, led by Culp and Courtney Magee with four each.
• Culp led the team with 11 ground balls.

What's Next
The Spartans remain at home to host UMass Boston in a 5 p.m. Little East Conference matchup on Grow the Game Night.