CASTLETON, Vt. – A year ago, when the fifth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University women's soccer team was eliminated in overtime in the first round of the Little East Conference playoffs by fourth-seeded VTSU Castleton, one Warrior goal was not enough.
 
In the re-match at Dave Wolk Stadium Saturday afternoon, it was.
 
Ranked fifth in the Little East Conference pre-season poll based largely upon last year's playoff seed, Eastern (4-4-1, 1-2-1 LEC) won its first conference game, sending VTSU Castleton (formerly Castleton University) – ranked fourth in the poll -- to its eighth straight loss, 1-0.
 
On the strength of first-year University of Hartford transfer Olivia Mullings' (Newington) goal which broke a scoreless stalemate with nine minutes left, and five combined saves by senior keeper Kaeden Dublin (Maple Grove, MN) and senior Emily Wallace (Smithtown, NY),  Eastern posted its first shutout win over Castleton in the eight-game series.
 
In addition to winning its first conference game in four outings, Eastern improved to 3-1-1 in its last five games overall and won its second straight 1-0 decision after losing its first three outcomes by that score.
 
Eastern's defense – led by senior midfielder Grace Muller (Johnston, RI), junior defenders Daria DiBiasio (Richmond, RI) and Morgan Kelly (Florida, NY) and first-year defender Arianna Tomassi (Guilford) – each of whom played the full 90 minutes --  Eastern limited Castleton (1-9-0, 0-4-0 LEC) to just seven shots and two corner kicks. The Warriors collected 11 shots and eight corners.
 
Scoreless in limited duty in her first four games at Eastern while rehabilitating an off-season injury, Mullings has at least one point in four of her last five matches. Against the Spartans, Mullings played only 36 minutes. Her only shot off a feed from DiBiasio (her first point of the year and second career assist) decided the game in Eastern's favor.
 
The pass from DiBiasio to Mullings was deflected in an attempt to clear the ball. Instead, Mullings ran under it and delivered a one-timer past Spartans' senior keeper Amaya Rogers, making her season debut in goal.
 
In her fifth appearance and fourth start, Dublin made two saves in a scoreless first half while Wallace evened her personal record this year to 2-2-1. In her eighth appearance this year, Wallace made three saves.
 
Eastern hosts Western Connecticut State University – ranked No. 2 in the LEC pre-season poll – October 11 at 6 p.m. at Rick McCarthy Field.