CASTLETON, Vt. – The University of Maine at Farmington field hockey team dropped a 7-0 decision to Castleton State College, in Wednesday afternoon's North Atlantic Conference Field Hockey Tournament semifinal at Spartan Stadium.

The Spartans advanced to their second consecutive NAC championship game with the win, improving to 13-6 in the process.

UMaine-Farmington saw its season close on the turf at Spartan Stadium, finishing up with an 8-7 record.

Blake Wardwell and Sarah Heffernan each had a pair of goals while Rachel Preusser notched a goal and dished off two assists to lead Castleton State into the championship game. 

The Spartans got on the board in the 24th minute when Rachel Preusser found Blake Wardwell for the team's first goal. Preusser broke down the left side of the field, sprinting past a UMaine-Farmington defender. The forward sent it across the goal mouth to Wardwell on the back post who finished it off.

Less than two minutes later, Wardwell ripped a shot that clanked off the post. Preusser received the rebound off the post and slotted it into the back of the net to put Castleton State up 2-0 in the 26th minute of play.

In the second half, Castleton State scored two quick goals in the first 10 minutes of the half. Blake Wardwell drove in a goal from the right side and was quickly followed by a goal from Kristy Pinkham off of a penalty corner. The pair of scores put Castleton State up 4-0 with 25 minutes remaining.

The Spartans added an insurance goal in the 43rd minute when Shawna Pinsonault finished off a rebound from a shot by Stephanie Bardell. The goal put Castleton State ahead 5-0 with just over 15 minutes to play. Sarah Heffernan added a pair of late goals to put Castleton State up 7-0, a lead that they held until the final whistle. 

Jess Galatioto finished the game with three saves, posting her fifth shutout of the season. Curran Brierley made seven saves in the UMaine-Farmington cage.

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