September 9, 2007

Castleton allows three in the second half, loses 3-2 at St. Joseph's (Me.)

Standish, ME-The Castleton State College field hockey team lost for the first time in four games, 3-2 at St. Joseph's College in Maine.

Despite wet field conditions, the teams were locked in a defensive battle during the first half and both keepers made tremendous saves.  The Spartans went up 1-0 after Carolyn Griggs scored off a rebound at 11:06.  Castleton threatened again but SJC keeper Kathleen Simoes made back to back saves to keep the Monks close at the break.

St. Joe’s came out stronger in the second half, holding a 12-2 advantage in shots.  Castleton keeper Trisha Clark came up big with eight saves in the half including two off of shots by Gina Gaetani and Kayla Nowell.

Sarah Flore gave Castleton a 2-0 lead with a goal at 46:12 but Julia Ostrowski converted a pass from Gaetani on a penalty corner to score for St. Joe’s just over a minute later.

The Monks continued their impressive play and execution on penalty corners as Courtney Rague sent a great cross to Kelly Emerson who found the back of the net to knot the score at 2-2.

SJC controlled play for the next five minutes and after several quality scoring opportunities Rague scored the game-winner off a pass from Jessica Baker.

The momentum shifted and the Monk defense fought off a furious Spartan effort to tie the game.  Simoes made two impressive saves in the final two minutes but when she was pulled away from the net with a minute to play, Lauren Snow had a defensive save to preserve the lead.

Simoes had 4 saves for St. Joe’s while Clark finished with 12 for the Spartans.

The Monks host UNE of Wednesday, September 12th at 4pm and Castleton hosts Becker on 9/15 at 2pm. [Box Score]

Coaches' Player of the Game: Tricia Watson

###Spartans###