CASTLETON, Vt.- Two days after opening their 2024 campaign, the Norwich Women's Soccer team traveled through the scenic green mountains to take on Vermont State Castleton in a matinee contest on a hot day at Dave Wolk Stadium.

Both sides traded chances in the opening minutes with the Cadets getting momentum off a yellow card for the Spartans. That press led to a corner where Abby Kirrane (Lunenburg, Mass.) and Kat Probst (Gouverneur, N.Y.) had chances, but could not find the back of the net. Minutes later, a defensive breakdown led to Castleton's Alexis Billings to score the icebreaker putting the home team ahead.

The Spartans pressed briefly but the shot attempts sailed wide. As the first half wound down, a second yellow card gave Norwich a free kick inches from the box, but the shot attempt sailed wide keeping the score at 1-0 at halftime. Despite Castleton holding a 6-3 advantage in the shot column, the two sides were even at two apiece in shots on target.

Out of the break, the Spartans held the early edge, but Norwich responded by keeping Castleton on their heels for an extended period despite not generating shots with Lily Briggs (Fair Haven, Vt.), Celine Juneau (Chazy, N.Y.) as well as Probst making noise in the high danger areas. Soon after a Cadet corner, play came down the other way and Natalie Webster would score the second and final Spartan goal of the contest. Juneau had another opportunity as time wound down but came up empty with Castleton taking home the 2-0 win despite Norwich holding a slight edge in shots on target (5-4).

Up next, the Cadets will open Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) competition when they host Rivier Saturday night Sept. 7 at 7 PM.