CASTLETON, Vermont – Arianna Spiezio and Emilee Higgins each scored an unassisted goal to lead the top-seeded Vermont State University Castleton Spartans to a 2-1 win over the fifth-seed University of Southern Maine Huskies in the semifinal round of the 2024 Little East Conference Field Hockey Championship Tournament Thursday night at Dave Wolk Stadium.
With the win, the Spartans advance to the championship round of the tournament.
The Records:
No. 5 Southern Maine (7-14)
No. 1 VTSU-Castleton (16-4 )
Today's game marked the 10th meeting between the Spartans and the University of Southern Maine Huskies. Southern Maine leads the overall series 6-4, winning both 2023 contest including a 4-1 win over VTSU-Castleton in the regular season, and a 2-1 overtime win in the 2023 Little East Conference semifinals. VTSU-Castleton earned a 1-0 win over the Huskies during the regular 2024 regular season at Hannaford Field.
The Goalkeepers:
SM,
Eleanor Folsom (6-14), 60:00, 2 GA, 6 Saves
CU, Zoe Martin (16-4), 60:00, 1 GA, 4 Saves
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Southern Maine broke through first taking a 1-0 lead on a goal from senior Emma Samson (Auburn, Maine/Edward Little) in the 11th minute on an assist from sophomore Norie Tibbetts (Skowhegan, Maine).
- The Huskies' defense limited the Spartans chances in the first half, allowing just three VTSU-Castleton shots in the first two quarters and just one on target to carry the 1-0 lead into the halftime break.
- The Spartans picked up the offensive intensity to start the third quarter, matching the Huskies 3-for-3 in shots, and Arianna Spiezio scored her seventh goal of the season in the 45th minute just before time expired to bring the game level 1-1.
- In a tense fourth quarter, the Spartans outshot the Huskies 8-1, and had a 3-1 advantage in penalty corners. However, Husky junior goalkeeper Eleanor Folsom (Winthrop, Maine) made five of her six saves in the game in the fourth quarter, keeping the game at 1-1. The Spartans secured their spot in the LEC Championship game in the 56th minute when Emilee Higgins potted the winning goal off of an assist from Ava Laross for the 2-1 final.
Inside The Statistics:
- Despite leading in shots 6-3 at halftime, Southern Maine trailed the Spartans 15-11 in shots at the conclusion of the game. The Spartans had eight second-half penalty corners for an 11-8 advantage overall.
- The Huskies and Spartans have eliminated each other from playoffs the last three seasons consecutively.
Up Next:
The loss concludes the Huskies' 2024 season. VTSU-Castleton will host the 2024 Little East Conference Championship game on Saturday, November 9.
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