Lady Spartans start off strong in playoffs

It was a great start for the women’s soccer team in their NAC quarterfinal playoff game against the Maine Maritime Mariners.  It was a dominant victory as Castleton shutout the visitors 4-0.
From the start, the Spartans took control of the game.  They had several chances right in the beginning.  Captain Kelsey Lenney had a beautiful cross to the back post where Nicole Wershoven was able to get head on it, though it went just over the crossbar.  

About two minutes later in the eighth minute, a cross from Mallory Costello hit the feet of Dominique ValaciusValacius kicked the ball up where Wershoven was able to finish with a great header.
Later in the 28th minute, Costello was tripped up in the box and was awarded penalty kick.  She drilled the ball to the bottom left corner with no problem. And described her approach.
“I tell myself to relax and just pass it into the net,” she said. “I tell myself to not look at the goalie and just put it in the net. I always shoot to the left side.”
The Spartans continued to control the ball throughout the game.  Goalie Jessica Binkowshi didn’t see her first shot until the 30th minute.  She finished the day with three saves.
“We changed our system of play this week and with only four days of practice with it under our belt, we played very well,” said Head Coach Chris Chapdelaine.
Castleton’s second half was no different from the first.  They dominated ball possession and had several chances throughout the half to score.  

The next goal came from Blaire Hooper.  She centered the ball where Jenna Bostwick was able to get a head on the ball and finish.
“I saw the ball coming in and I said this is mine,” Bostwick said.  “As soon as I headed it, I knew it was going in.”
Bostwick didn’t stop there.  In the 90th minute, a short corner kick pass from Hooper allowed Bostwick to cross it in.  The Mariner’s goalie missed the ball as it rolled into the corner, giving Bostiwick her second goal and Hooper her second assist of the game.  

“It was totally unexpected,” said Bostwick.  ” Honestly, I was trying to send it across the box for someone to get a foot on it.”

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