The men’s soccer team hosted two NAC foes this weekend at Spartan Stadium, when they faced off against Maine Maritime and Husson.
On Saturday, they dominated the visiting Mariners of Maine Maritime 5-0 in the first annual Grassroot Soccer fundraiser.  The Grassroot program uses soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize communities to stop the spread of HIV.
The Spartans’ first goal came in the 33rd minute off a corner.  The ball soared over the middle to Owen Fellows.  Fellows passed back to Drazen Smith, who blasted the ball into the back of the net.  
The next goal came right after, in the 35th minute.  Spencer Dandurand crossed the ball into the Mariners’ box where Fellows was able to get a fantastic header goal.  

“That was awesome. I really just swung it in there to cause problems for the other team,” said Dandurand. “It was just a great header.”
Fellows also commented on his spectacular play.

“I was a ways away from the play and I saw that spencer was going to be able to get a cross into the box so I just tried to make a hard run in and bypassed the first guy at the near post and tried to get around the defender in front of me,” he said. “I barely touched it but I was able to get it on target.”
With great momentum the Spartans were able put two more in before halftime.  Justin Hepburn had a great assist to Yosef Osheyack who was able to finish with ease in the 42nd minute.  

“It felt good to finish the half strong and end it with four quick goals,” said Captain John Kendall, who also scored.  

Just a minute after Osheyack’s goal, Kendall took a spectacular shot outside the eighteen to put the Spartans up 4-0 in the first half.  

“Getting those goals in the first half is more than I could’ve asked for,” Dandurand said. “It helped calm us down and get the win.”
The final goal came early in the second half in the 56th minute.  Fellows crossed the ball low into the Mariners’ box Fellows finished the day with a goal and two assists.  

“I feel ecstatic I could come out and perform like that for the people,” he said.
Head Coach John O’Connor was happy with the outcome of the game, but didn’t expect this.

“It was a bit of a surprise to be honest,” he said. “I didn’t think it was going to be, I don’t want to say easy, because they’re a good team. They just beat Thomas, who was a preseason pick.”
The Spartans also played Husson on Sunday and drew a 1-1 tie with the visitors. Drazen Smith notched the only goal for Castleton and goalkeeper Nate Koenemann finished the day with four saves.
The Spartans move to a 5-2-2 overall record on the season and will host Green Mountain on Friday at 7 p.m.