The Castleton men’s soccer team opened conference play with games on both Sept. 25 and 26 against Thomas College and University of Maine-Farmington, winning both games 3-1 and 3-0 respectively.The Sept. 26 shutout of Farmington was senior goalkeeper Andy LaCroix’s (two saves) second clean sheet of the season.

Head coach John Werner was very proud of his team’s performance.

“I don’t know how much better we could play,” said Werner. “The guys dug deep for a good conference weekend.”

After a scoreless first half, the Spartans
quickly landed on the score sheet just three minutes into the second half on a great run from senior midfielder Chris Mulholland. Mulholland dodged a Beaver defender, cut the ball to the middle and tucked a low shot inside the left post to put Castleton ahead 1-0 to the delight of the 300 fans.

Striking next for the Spartans was junior midfielder Jacob Ferry sending home his first goal of the season on a pass from senior-captain Josh Costa. Costa sent a free-kick from 35 yards out over the Farmington defense and onto the foot of Ferry who buried it.

“Ferry was our Man of the Match,” said Werner. “He’s good in the middle.”

Costa would close out the scoring less than a minute later receiving a through-pass from sophomore midfielder Billy Lund for his eighth goal in nine games this season.

Castleton’s young defenders Jacob Roswell and Dominic Heller played strong on the back line turning away some tough Farmington advances.

“Did Heller step up or what?” asked Werner proudly of his freshmen back.

The Spartans outshot the Beavers 21-10 in the contest.

On Saturday Sept. 25 Caslteton defeated
Thomas 3-1 on three first half goals from Tanner LeCuyer, Brendan Hoffman, and Tim Sherman. All three goals were the first of the season and first of the collegiate career for each player.

LeCuyer settled a loose ball in the box and sent it home for the first score of the game in the 21st minute.

Hoffman tapped home a pass from Trevor Kotrady to give the Spartans a 2-0 advantage.

Thomas answered the second Castleton strike with a corner from Edwin Reyes to Australian Paul Rechichi who slid home the goal for a 2-1 game.

Sherman took back the Spartan two-goal lead on a 75-yard free-kick from LeCuyer that found his foot all the way downfield into the box where he put it just inside the far post.

“We came together for a good weekend,” Werner said.

The Spartans host rival Norwich University
tonight at 7.