Men’s SoccerAfter a hard fought physical game between the top seeded Spartans (10-7-1 overall and 6-1-1 NAC) and the eighth seeded Johnson State Badgers (4-11-0 overall and 2-6-0 NAC), Castleton is heading for its second North Atlantic Conference semifinal game in as many years.

The game chugged along slowly but surely for the first 75 minutes with no scoring and few shots on goal. It quickly became a match of speed, wits, and most importantly defense. With 14:18 left in regulation, the Spartans finally managed to muster some offensive pressure by scoring two goals in 3 minutes.

The first goal was scored by number 22, senior Bennett Laderoute. Just three minutes later, sophomore Corey Robbins scored the insurance goal that sealed the 2-0 victory for the Spartans.

Field Hockey

Equally impressive, the Spartan field hockey team also keeps on rolling. After having a tremendous regular season going 12-5 overall and 7-1 in NAC play, the Spartans rolled past seventh seeded Wheelock College 6-0 in the quarterfinal game this past Saturday.

After winning four out of their last six games in the regular season to become the second seed in the NAC Division III playoffs, the Spartans overtook the Wheelock Wildcats early.

The first Spartan goal was scored by junior Kayla Blank just 5:04 into play. Blank would later add two more goals. Also scoring for the Spartans were juniors Carolyn Griggs, with two goals, and Meghan Konowich, with one.

The Spartan field hockey team will battle again on Tuesday, Oct. 30 when they will host the third seeded Husson Eagles.

Women’s Soccer

The Spartan ladies played their hearts out for an entire 110-minute game before they finally fell to Bay Path College 5-4 during a shoot-out in the quarterfinal game on Saturday.

The only time that the Spartans were outplayed by Bay Path was in the beginning of the first half. Unfortunately for the Spartans, that was when Bay Path did its damage. The Wildcats scored the first goal just nine minutes into the game.

After that, the game turned into a defensive battle with the goalkeepers on both sides making numerous spectacular saves.

When the Spartans came onto the field after the half, they were hungry for the win.

Only five5 minutes into the second half, the Spartans battled back and freshman Ashley Ledoux scored her eleventh goal of the season. While the Spartans dominated the second half, the Bay Path goalkeeper would not give in.

After the 90 minutes of regulation, the two teams played two 10-minute sudden death rounds in which neither could capitalize on any opportunities.

To decide the outcome of the game, it went to a shoot-out. Both teams gathered in the center and watched as their five representatives battle it out one-on-one with the opposing goal keeper.

When all was said and done, the Wildcats had made all five goals and the Spartans had made four.