Box Score

CASTLETON, Vt. -- Castleton State College scored twice in a span of 1:11 during the early stages of the second period to gain separation from the University of New England en route to a 3-1 victory in non-conference field hockey action Sunday afternoon (Sep. 2) at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans leveled their record at 1-1 on the young season, while the contest was the first of the season for UNE.

After a Castleton shot deflected off a UNE player for an own goal in the 11th minute, Big Blue junior forward Casey Clark (Bethlehem, N.H.) netted the equalizer with one tick left in the opening stanza to level the match at intermission. The Spartans controlled play for much of the half, establishing sizeable advantages in shots (13-6) and penalty corners (14-1) over the 35 minutes.

Things were a bit more even following halftime, but the hosts went in front in the 44th minute. Blake Wardwell sent a cross from the right side through a crowd in the middle and caught Rachel Preusser in stride to tap into the open cage.

Just over a minute later Kealy Chapman provided some insurance for Castleton, collecting a pass from Kristy Pinkham on the right and slipping a shot into the left side of the goal.

For the game, the Spartans held a 25-12 edge in shots and 20-3 in penalty corners. UNE sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlyn Warren (Boscawen, N.H.) did her part to keep the Nor'easters close with 13 saves on the day.

Jessica Galatioto made five stops for Castleton State, which has a date at Mount Holyoke College on Saturday.

Big Blue returns to Biddeford for its home-opener on Wednesday (6 p.m.) when Husson University comes to town.