NORTH ADAMS, Mass. -- Castleton University's Makenzi Bellando scored a pair of goals while teammate Bronwen Hopwood netted a goal and an assist in leading the Spartans past the MCLA Trailblazers 6-1 Wednesday evening at Shewcraft Field.

 

The Spartans earn their first win of the season and improve to 1-2-1 while the Trailblazers drop to 0-3.

 

Castleton (1-2-1) started fast in the opening half of play as they immediately pressured the Trailblazers (0-3). Spartan Bronwen Hopwood converted an MCLA turnover just four minutes into play for an early 1-0 advantage. Castleton tallied again in the 15th minute, this time on Makenzi Bellando's shot into the upper left corner of the net making it 2-0 and seemingly put Castleton in firm command.

 

MCLA finally got one back in the 32nd minute when Taconic High graduate Lauren Mangiardi was the beneficiary of a Spartan turnover. She corralled the ball just outside the Spartan eighteen and loft a shot into the upper left corner slicing the lead to 2-1. The Trailblazers couldn't get any closer however as Aubra Linn knocked home a cross off the foot of Megan O'Shea bringing the score to 3-1 at halftime.

 

The Spartans owned a decisive 21-3 shot edge after the opening half of play and a 7-2 edge in corners.

 

In the second half, Bellando knocked home a cross from Kate Steller to make it 4-1. Rachel Keefer and Dallas Brodhead also tallied to round out the scoring and account for the final score.

 

Castleton owned a 35-9 shot advantage over MCLA on the night.

 

MCLA is back in action on Saturday when it hosts Worcester State at 1 p.m. in the MASCAC opener for both teams.