Women’s lacrosse steamrolls through competition
The women’s lacrosse team has won seven out of its last eight contests.The momentum was built up when the Spartans beat conference rival Bridgewater State 17-14 for the first time in program history. Bridgewater State has been the New England Women’s Lacrosse Alliance champion every year since they joined the conference in 2007. Coach Tammy Landon was more than pleased with the result.
“The game was so exhilarating. It was definitely four years coming”.
Since the win over the Bears, the Spartans have been on the up and up, beating conference foes Elms, Green Mountain and Fitchburg State.
The one disappointment was an 18-17 double-overtime loss to NEWLA opponent Westfield State. In the game, Marie VanDerKar paced Castleton with six goals while Nicole Adams added four and Stephanie Paproski and Katelyn Nardini both netted two.
“The loss to Westfield State was frustrating. That loss could be very detrimental to our chances at a number one seed,” said Landon.
This past weekend, the Spartans played host to Becker College. The game was in Castleton’s control from the beginning as VanDerKar scoring the first goal just 18 seconds into the game. After more quick goals from Angelica Mazzola, Adams and Elizabeth Haggerty, the Spartan’s pounded in another nine goals to Becker’s one, making the score 13-1 at halftime.
Castleton started the second half the same way they did the first, with early goals from Jennifer Macari, Mazzola, and Paproski, continuing the hot streak through the second half.
Becker’s Nicole Lijana managed to sneak in a goal with just over three minutes left, but it was in vain as the Hawk’s left a rain-soaked Spartan Arena with a brutal 24-2 loss to the Spartans.
Castleton also notched another tally in the win column with its 10-4 victory against UMaine Farmington on April 18.
The Spartans are showing that they are starting to come together as a team. Freshman goalkeeper Lily Derbeshire had nothing but good things to say about the team chemistry.
“I played three years of varsity lacrosse in high school, and I have never felt so comfortable on a team. I feel like I have gained 21 sisters”.
The Spartans go back to the grind today as they travel to take on a tough Keene State team. The game is slated to start at 4 p.m.