CASTLETON, Vt. – The Castleton field hockey team scored five second-half goals en route to a 6-2 North Atlantic Conference (NAC) victory over the Simmons Sharks on Monday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.
The Spartans gained their ninth win of the season and improved to 5-0 in the NAC while Simmons fell to 4-10 on the year. Kealy Chipman and Rachel Preusser each contributed a pair of goals to the cause.
Castleton kept the ball around the Simmons' net for most of the half, out shooting the Sharks 23-1. Despite the shot disparity, Castleton could not score a goal until the 29th minute, as Renna Smith (Belfast, Maine) was a force in net.
Chipman finally netted the Spartans' first goal off of a penalty stroke past Simmons' goalie Smith with 6:50 remaining in the first half.
After halftime, Preusser added some security to the Spartans' lead. She collected the ball in front of the Sharks' net, putting the ball by Smith in the 39th minute of the game.
Chipman landed her second goal of the afternoon less than one minute later, scoring off of a Brynn Cayia assist. Cayia passed the ball in from the far side, allowing Chipman to receive the ball in front of the net for the score.
Kristy Pinkham scored the fourth goal of the second half, off of a Mercedes Maltbie assist in the 43rd minute. Maltbie collected a penalty corner and slid it to Pinkham who uncorked the shot into the back of the net.
The Sharks got on the scoreboard in the 51st minute of the game. Kelly Williamson (Natick, Mass.) scored off an Amy Cronin (Georgetown, Mass.) pass to net the goal passed the keeper, Jessica Galatioto. Simmons added another goal to cut the lead to four. Aslyn Dindorf (Harts Location, N.H.) converted off of an Amy Cronin pass for the third-straight game.
Galatioto was credited the win. The sophomore made three saves and allowed one goal before being lifted in the 56th minute in favor of freshman Heather Ploof.
The Spartans gear-up again Thursday, Oct. 11 as they enjoy another home contest against non-conference opponent Keene St. The Sharks return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Mount Holyoke College.