CASTLETON, Vt. — Castleton State fought back from a 1-0 second-half deficit to force overtime but couldn't supply a golden goal in either extra session, as they played to a 1-1 draw with Maine Maritime Academy on Sunday afternoon at Spartan Stadium.

Neither team could find the back of the net in the first half, despite both squads getting their chances. Castleton had 11 shots and forced Mariners' keeper William Trace Lacour (Charlottesville, Va.) to make five saves. The Castleton defense allowed seven shots but only one of them was on goal.

The second half was a different story as Abdullah Alkhayyat (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) forced Nate Koenemann (Montpelier, Vt.) to make a diving stop just 1:36 into the period.

On the ensuing play, senior Nick El-Hajj (Winterport) lofted a throw-in into the box for senior Nate Tipton (West Chester, Pa.) who headed it to Benjamin Russell (Farmington). Russell one-timed a shot past Koenemann for the goal. It was Russell's second goal this weekend.

Trailing 1-0, the Spartans clawed their way back into the game in the 80th minute as sophomore Spencer Dandurand (Colchester, Vt.) was fouled in the box while trying to attempt a shot. Castleton was awarded a penalty shot and freshman Dameon Young (Fairfax, Vt.) converted the kick to tie the score at one apiece.

The Spartans maintained the momentum over the final ten minutes, recording five shots, however, they were unable to covert, sending the game to overtime.

Castleton continued to pressure Lacour in both overtimes, peppering the net with 12 shots in the contest's final 20 minutes and forcing the sophomore to make three saves. The Mariners, meanwhile managed just one shot on net and two overall. Lacour finished with a 13 saves on the afternoon while Koenemann made five for the host Spartans.

The tie gives Castleton a 5-1-1 mark in North Atlantic Conference and moves the team's record to 8-5-2 overall. Maine Maritime goes to 4-2-1 in NAC action and 7-3-2 overall with the draw.

The Mariners return to action Wednesday evening when Maine Maritime hosts Thomas College.

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