Castleton men’s soccer looked to claim its second win of the season, but failed to capitalize on numerous chances, losing to Norwich 3-2 at Spartan Stadium on Sept 20.

Fidele Rutayisire and Dallas Desroches both had goals for the Spartans. Noah Schiers, Alec Brigante and Luke Gleadle tallied the goals for the Cadets.

Castleton struggled with its set pieces going just 1-11 on corner kicks as opposed to Norwich who went 1-3 on corner kick attempts.

The Spartans dominated time of possession throughout the game and didn’t hesitate to shoot, but of the 20 shots the Spartans took, just 7 were on goal, 5 of which were saved by Norwich keeper Billy Whaley.

The Cadets took 10 shots with four being on net. Castleton Goalkeeper Dan Palker finished the game with one save.

The Spartans tried to lob multiple through passes but quick work by the Cadet defense slowed down the Spartan strikers just enough so they could recover.

“They just had a really strong midfield and it was kind of hard for us to bypass that at some points,” said Castleton senior forward Seth Wilmott.

Noah Schiers started the scoring for the Cadets off a corner kick in minute 24. Schiers trapped the ball from Luke Gleadle off his chest and then rifled a shot into the center of the net just outside six yards out.

The Spartans answered right back after Rutayisire scored his first career goal. Wilmott looked like he was going to settle the ball, but instead one touched a pass down the left wing for Rutayisire to run onto. Rutayisire fired a low angle shot on the ground that was able to sneak just inside the far post past Whaley.

Norwich broke the tie early in the second half when a clear attempt by Castleton midfielder Alex McCourmick hit off a Norwich attacker. The ball went into the air and then was poked into the back of the net by the head of Brigante.

Just five minutes later Gleadle was fouled in the box by Palker. Gleadle put home the penalty kick to give the Cadets commanding 3-1 lead.

After Desroches brought the Spartans within one Castleton looked to score a late desperation goal. A flurry of late shots by the Spartans forced Whaley to make two key saves in the final 7 minutes of play.

“As a team we get kind of excited when we get into the attacking end. We either try to force it or people won’t shoot,” Wilmott said.

Castleton travels to play Green Mountain College this Saturday at 1 p.m