ALBANY, N.Y. – Visiting Vermont State University Castleton outscored Russell Sage College 10-1 during the second and third quarters to secure a 17-7 non-conference victory on Wednesday afternoon.
Midfielder Jake McElwee (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty), a grad student, topped the Gators with four points on two goals and two assists.
Senior defender Joe Johnson (Gansevoort, NY/South Glens Falls), announced as a member of the United States Intercollegiate Association Division III Team of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 16 earlier today, added two goal, two groundballs, and two caused turnovers, while junior Gamo Koulibaly (Aurora, CO/Rangeview) went 8-of-11 in the X.
Junior attacker Carter Frankenhoff paced the Spartans (1-5) with five goals, while senior Zac Smith registered 17 saves.
After McElwee put the Gators up 3-0 with 4:59 left in the opening period, Castleton broke the RSC momentum with a goal just 26 seconds later. The tally kicked off a 12-1 Spartan run across the ensuing 21:02.
Looking ahead, RSC (3-5), which entered the contest as winners of three-in-a-row, begins Empire 8 Conference play on Saturday at home against Alfred.
Gator Bites with Papa John's: The spring marks the first with Erich Skelly at the helm of the Gators…He arrived at RSC from Albright College in late January…Attacker Bailey Martin (Syracuse, NY/Onondaga Central), a grad student, and Johnson headline the 19 returning Gators…Johnson received an honorable mention for USILA All-American team and earned first-team All-Empire 8 Conference accolades in 2024, program firsts in both awards… He was selected for the USILA D3 Team of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 16...Johnson registered six goals, 19 ground balls and six caused turnovers in a 3-0 week...Martin commenced the season as the program's career leader for points (146) and goals (96)…He surpassed both the 150 career points and 100 career goals marks in the victory at Saint Joseph University - Long Island on March 15...Freshman Jordon Hankel (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) was selected the Empire 8 Conference Goalkeeper of the Week for the period ending Sunday, March 16…The rookie only permitted nine goals and registered a .775 save percentage in a 3-0 week…Midfielder Anthony Marrone (Monroe, NJ/Monroe Township), a grad student, opened the week leading the E8 in both points (28) and goals (26)…Midfielder Adam Willig (Buffalo, NY/Amherst Central), a grad student, Johnson, and Marrone were voted co-captains.
