Second half goal dooms MCLA in 1-0 loss to Castleton

North Adams, MA- The visiting Castleton women's soccer team received a goal from leading scorer Mallory Costello in the 75th minute to lead the Spartans past MCLA 1-0 in non conference action at Shewcraft Field.  With the win, the Spartans improve to 2-4 on the season while the Trailblazers drop to 1-4.

Costello's goal was set up by some nifty ball handling from Bronwen Hopwood.  Hopwood took the ball at midfield and promtply dribbled past the MCLA defense towards the right flank.  She then pushed a through ball to Costello who after a quick touch, blasted a shot to the lower left corner for the deciding goal.  The marker was Costello's sixth of the season.

The Trailblazers had some chances late over the final five minutes.  Freshman Casey Poplaski broke clear at the top of the box, but her shot went over the crossbar preserving the 1-0 Spartan lead.  In the 87th minute, MCLA's Natalie Caney got a through ball and got a foot on it, but it went high as well giving the Spartans the win.

The opening half was scoreless as both teams had a few chances to break through.  MCLA's Darien Sullivan took a shot in the 26th minute that Castleton keeper Jess Binkowski got a hand on to knock over the crossbar.  

Castleton's Costello had a solid scoring chance thwarted when her header off a corner was right at MCLA net minder Katy Daly.  The Spartans outshot MCLA 9-3 in the first half.

For the game, Binkowski stopped 3 shots to earn her second win of the season.  The Spartans owned a 17-7 shot advantage and a 12-2 edge in corners.

Daly stopped 8 shots for the Trailblazers in the loss.

MCLA will open MASCAC play Saturday when they travel to Bridgewater State.