Spartan players celebrate after one of the 23 goals Saturday.
Sara Novenstern/Castleton Spartan

After losing a tough game to Potsdam at home on Thursday 14-3, the Spartans men’s lacrosse team would take the field Saturday at Spartan Stadium for their “One Love Game,” against conference opponent Maine Farmington.

The “One Love Game,” is a way to express just how important relationship violence is and can be, and the Spartans have teamed up with the (PAC) Peer Advocates for Change, to try and help relay the message and educate young people about just how serious this type of violence can be.

 Castleton was able to not only express how much the event meant to them, but were then able to go out and dominate the Beavers all afternoon and come away with the 23-0 shutout.

Castleton (2-4, 2-2 Conf.) would not disappoint, as they immediately would get an offensive spark from senior standout Zach Davidson, who moved into 9th place on the NCAA D-III All Time Leading Scorers list on Saturday with 328pts. Junior Taylor Swarter, and Davidson combined for 18 of Castleton’s 23 points.

The Spartans outshot the Beavers 73-14 on the afternoon, making it a very tough day for Maine-Farmington who continued to struggle trying to find the net.

Castleton got great effort from goaltenders, Connor Garand and Eric Horsfield who combined for 7 saves in the net, while 11 other Spartan players contributed on the offensive end of the lop-sided shutout.

The Spartans would score six goals in the last 30 minutes of the contest to solidify the victory over the Beavers.

“We just executed our game,” Garand said. “We took advantage early and we just rode the momentum throughout the game.”

Gerand also shared his thoughts about the fight against violence.

“The “One Love Foundation” is doing a great thing by trying to end relationship violence,” Garand said. “I was honored to be able to team up with the women’s team in this event, it’s something that needs to be taken seriously and it’s a great thing to be a part of.”

Castleton Spartans Quarterback and first year Lacrosse player George Busharis also expressed and shared his thoughts about this event and this year’s team.

“It was a great effort to support a very important and meaningful cause, and I felt honored to be a part of it,” Busharis said.

“This year’s team is full of so much potential and I’m super excited to see us at our best,” Busharis said. “We have so much talent and it is going to be hard to slow us down once we get going. Our goal is to get to the NCAA Tournament and make our mark there and get CSC lax on the map.”

Castleton looks to continue to ride the momentum wave and keep their winning ways going when they take on SUNY Canton March 25th in New York.