October 28, 2007

Castleton advances to semifinal round with 6-0 win over Wheelock

Castleton, VT-The second-seeded Castleton State College field hockey team advanced to the semifinal round of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament with a 6-0 win over seventh-seeded Wheelock College.

Castleton came out strong early, as junior forward Kayla Blank scored three goals, upping her season total to 17 on the season. Blank scored the first Castleton goal 5:04 into the game after Wheelock goalie, Lauren Tavares stopped two shots in a row. Blank collected the second rebound and beat Tavares for what would prove to be the game winner. Carolyn Griggs netted her 12th goal of the year just over one minute later as she carried the ball past the defense and sent a rocket past Tavares. Blank would score once more in the half, this time with 15 minutes to play, off a perfect cross from Calla Taft.

Tavares made nine saves in the first-half to keep the Wildcats in the game. In the second half it proved to be too much Blank and Griggs as each tallied one more, sandwiched around Meghan Konowich’s first goal of the season. Griggs’ 13 goals equals her previous high for a season, she has now scored 13 goals in each of her first three years at Castleton. Blank’s 17 is an all-time record at Castleton.

Tavares finished the game with 13 saves, including a pair of penalty strokes. Wheelock’s season ends at 5-12.

Castleton’s Trisha Clark and Siobhan Whittemore split time in goal, with Clark making the only necessary save. The Spartans improve to a program-best 12-5, and will take on third-seed, Husson College in the semifinal round on Tuesday, October 30, time to be announced. [Box Score]

Coaches' Player of the Game: Tricia Watson

###Spartans###