Field Hockey drops non-conference contest to Castleton, 4-0

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Field Hockey team dropped a non-conference decision this evening to visiting Castleton University, 4-0 under the lights at Raider Field. The loss moves the Raiders' overall record to 4-8 while Castleton improves to 4-8 on the year.

The Spartans wasted no time in getting on the board as junior Mariah Linnett (Greenwich, N.Y.) knocked home a feed from sophomore Sarah Wells (Bellows Falls, Vt.) at 3:57 for the early 1-0 lead. Minutes later, senior Haley Spittle (Duxbury, Vt.) added her 5th goal of the season for a comfortable 2-0 lead just 6:11 into the contest. Castleton would extend their lead to 3 when Linnett set up classmate Emily Lowell (Brandon, Vt.) at 23:37 to account for all of the first half scoring.

Rivier was able to make an adjustment at halftime as they limited Castleton to only 13 second half shots – compared to the 24 they allowed in the first half – and went on the offensive by pelting 12 of their 17 shots in the final stanza.

Freshman Katherine Papele (Swampscott, Mass.) made her first collegiate start in net for the Raiders and recorded 23 saves. Castleton senior Meeghan Doris (New Milford, Conn.) stopped all 13 shots she faced for her 1st shutout of the season.

Next up for the Raiders will be another non-conference contest, this time it's at Fitchburg State on October 13 with a 7pm start time. Castleton will host Keene State on Thursday afternoon in their next scheduled contest.