The Castleton State College women’s soccer team dropped to 0-2 on the season with a 1-0 loss to St. Michael’s College on Saturday. The offense struggled mightily again, something that has plagued the team in all three games this season. Forward Courtney Chadburn fired the only two shots on goal.

“Our forwards are new to the system of play this year. They are both new to the team as well and new to each other,” said Carisa Chadburn, a captain on the team. “I think goals will come along as the season transpires and they become more familiar with the style of play and each other.”

While the Spartans held the Purple Knights to just four shots in the first half, the Knights came out of halftime strong and determined to put one into the back of the net.

Spartan keeper Nakita Baldic kept her team in the game for as long as she could, making three saves. But in the 84th minute of play, the Purple Knights’ determination paid off as freshman Laura Ostrout scored her third goal of the season with the assist from Mary Catanzarita.

Earlier in the week, the lady Spartans opened their regular season at home with a 3-0 loss to Plattsburgh State.

The Spartans took nine shots during that game, three of which belonged to Courtney Chadburn.

“Courtney is a big part of our team,” said Carisa Chadburn. “She is doing well getting shots off, but she does have a lot of pressure on her from the defenders. She is already drawing attention.”

The Spartans did have an opportunity to get on the board when Courtney Chadburn beat the Cardinal keeper on a through pass. She was denied her first collegiate goal, though, after a defender deflected the ball at the last second.

The Spartans looked to turn their luck around against the Norwich Cadets in their second game of the season, but the game was postponed just before the end of the first half due to severe weather. The game was tied at 1-1.

Courtney Chadburn put the Spartans on the board first, but Norwich’s Dawn McNulty tied the game two minutes later. The conclusion date for this game has not yet been announced.

Despite the Spartans’ lack of offense so far this season, Carisa Chadburn isn’t too worried about her team, which has played only non-conference games so far.

“If we can straighten all the kinks out before the conference games, we will be competitive and hard to beat.”

The Spartans will next be in action on Sept. 11 at 7:00 p.m., when they play at non-conference Fitchburg State.