North Adams, MA- The Union College men's soccer team got a pair of first half goals, including one from tournament offensive MVP
Dean Constant, and
Ryan Carter made it stand up in the Dutchmen's 2-1 victory over Castleton State in the CIAO Classic.
Union controlled much of the play in the opening half. Their constant offensive pressure paid off in the 14th minute when
Kevin Janson sent a corner kick into the box and
Dean Constant headed it home for a 1-0 lead. Although Union kept up the pressure over the next several minutes, Castleton countered to tie the game.
Jake Tietgens converted a nice through pass from Spencer Dandurand to knot the score at 1 in the 31st minute. Union would respond though, this time using a
Nicholas Hall-Risko goal in the 39th minute to grab the lead.
Jake Soodek assisted on the play as Union took the 2-1 advantage into halftime.
Union held the advantage in the second half outshooting the Spartans 10-2 and 27-5 for the contest. Castleton keeper Nate Koenemann was outstanding in net for the Spartans stopping 9 shots on the afternoon. Carter recorded his second-half shutout after stopping a pair of shots.
With the win Union improves to 4-0 overall on the season. The win gives Union the MCLA CIAO Classic title for the second time in three seasons as well as their second tournament title this season.
Union returns home to College Park next weekend for a matchup against Plattsburgh State on Saturday at 2 pm.
