After starting the season 3-0, the Spartan women’s soccer team dropped back-to-back games against Plattsburgh State and Plymouth State this past weekend. The Spartans walked off the field with their heads down after a 3-2 overtime loss to Plattsburgh on Sept. 8. Then on Sept. 10 they found themselves in the loss column again after battling hard in a tough 1-0 loss.

Before hitting a wall against Plattsburgh and Plymouth, though, Castleton looked impressive against its competition, shutting out the likes of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Lesley University and Johnson and Whales.

They defeated RPI in a close 1-0 game, thanks to the foot of senior Courtney Chadburn and the goaltending of Ericka Davis. Scoring an unassisted goal, Chadburn drove in the winning shot 61 minutes into the game. This is the first time since 2004 that the lady Spartans have won their first game of the season.

“We have high expectations,” says coach Chris Chapdelaine, “we aren’t playing our best yet, but we’re looking to get stronger.”

The Spartans did just that. In their following game against Lesley, Chadburn scored all four goals for the team, giving her first hat trick of the season. Two of the goals were less than a minute apart.

“She just makes every goal look so easy,” said Chapdelaine. “We’re so fortunate to have her.”

Also contributing to the victory against Lesley was freshman goalkeeper Katja Langmaid, making her debut in net with five saves in 90 minutes of play.

The Spartans faced another close game on Sunday when defeating Johnson & Whales University by a score of 1-0. The game came down to its final seconds, but Castleton came out on top thanks to a goal scored by Chadburn.

As well as Chadburn, senior goalkeeper Ericka Davis came out on top, making eleven saves, giving her her second shut out of 2011.

“We have done very well up front,” says Chapdelaine.

Chadburn scored five of the six goals scored by the Spartans this weekend. She is also just nine goals away from scoring the all-time high here at Castleton.

Not only do the lady Spartans have Chadburn up front, but they also have two key offensive players, seniors Hillary Cook, and Brynn Campbell.

Chapdelaine says that the team’s defensive anchors in the back consist of goalkeeper Davis, and defensemen Kelly Tetreault.

Chapdelaine says he is excited about the big returning players, having returned nine of eleven starters. The Spartans also welcome four freshmen this season.

“We are looking to progress, we can always get stronger,” says Chapdelaine.

The lady Spartans are also doing something new this year. They are wearing purple sweatbands to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s disease.

“This was all [the players’]  idea,” says Chapdelaine. “It goes to show that they are truly a great group of well-rounded people. I am so lucky to be their coach.”