In a rematch of last year’s first round game of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III tournament, the Keene State women’s lacrosse team beat Castleton, 16-13.
Head Coach Katie Arsenault earned her 100th career win.
Jacob Paquin/ Equinox Staff
Junior Taylor Farland tallied a game-high of six goals and two assists for a career-high of eight points.
Sophomore Chelsea Lewis and senior Taylor Graf made a hat-trick, while Lewis added a helper.
The Spartans came out fast, shooting the first goal of the game in the first minute right before they extended their lead by two after converting a free position opportunity with 28 remaining minutes.
Despite the Spartans early lead to two, the Owls fired back with five unanswered goals.
Back-to-back free position shots from Farland and first-year Tess Masci to even the score at two apiece and capped with a goal from senior Kelly Chadnick off a pass from Gabby Smith, giving Keene State a 5-2 advantage.
Castleton cut the deficit to two, but Farland responded firing a shot to the back of the goal. Lewis added another one for the Owls, bringing the score to 7-3.
Castleton put back the final goal of the half, leaving the score 7-4, Keene State at halftime.
The second half opened up with goals from both Graf and Farland to push Keene State further in the lead, but Castleton found the net four times. Keene State was up by one, 10-9.
The Owls regained a three-point lead when Graf put back a free position pass from Farland and Lewis scored an unassisted goal.
The Spartans put forth another three goals to tie the score at 12.
After back-and-forth play, Farland scored the last and final two goals of the game, leaving Keene State on top 14-12.
Shelby Iava can be contacted at siava@kscequinox.com
