The Castleton State men’s lacrosse team will be advancing to the North Atlantic Conference finals for the fifth consecutive season. The Spartans defeated third seeded Thomas College 17-8 at alumni field, posting 10 players in the scoring column.Mike Martinez and Josh Davis struck first for Castleton, both scoring a pair of goals before halftime. The Spartans started the second half with a six goal lead. After leading 9-0 with 9:05 left in the third quarter, Thomas finally put a goal on the scoreboard.

Martinez led all scorers with 4 goals, as the Spartan offense ran smoothly all game. Jake Rick tallied 3 goals, had 1 assist, and scooped up 13 ground balls.

The ground ball game was dominated by Castleton, due to Craig MacDerment’s stellar face-off performance. MacDerment went 20 for 26 on face-offs, and managed to grab 11 ground balls for the Spartans.

Brett Quillia continued his non-selfish offensive play by assisting on 2 goals.

Quillia is also on pace to break the single season record for assists per game. Mike DelDotto assisted on 3 goals, while scoring a goal.

Devon Wood, Daniel Luzzi, and Josh Davis all scored 2 goals for Castleton’s offense.

“We can definitely win against Ida,” Martinez said. “We need to set the game speed to the pace we want it, not how they want it. We need to get back to basics: catching, passing, ground balls.”

The Spartans face the task of besting Mount Ida College in the NAC championship, a trip too familiar to Castleton. For the past four years Mount Ida has defeated Castleton in the Conference finals.

Last season the Spartans tied the game before regulation ended, during overtime Mount Ida claimed victory.

“I try not to think of the rivalry when I’m out there playing, but it’s always in the back of my mind,” said freshman attack Mike DelDotto. “We have to keep it simple, we have to play our game.”

The Spartans lost their previous match up against Mount Ida 10-2 earlier this season. The Conference finals will be hosted by Mount Ida College on May 3, time to be announced.