NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich Cadets
overcame the Suffolk University Rams in overtime on Saturday at
Howard Field, as freshman William
Flanagan netted the game-winning goal for a 2-1
victory just five minutes into the first set of extra time.
Prior to the start of the game, the Cadets recognized their two
seniors who would be playing in their last regular season contest
on Howard Field this afternoon: team captains Roger
Motaze and Mike Lee.
Suffolk (8-7-1, 5-3-1 GNAC) took a one-goal lead when sophomore
Ben Rollins netted his sixth goal of the season to
put the Rams on the board just before the end of the first
half.
Norwich (9-6-1, 6-3 GNAC) worked to even the score for the
majority of the second half. In the 80th minute,
sophomore Garrett
Shufelt found footing on a loose ball from a corner
kick play to shoot a bomb into the back of the net, tying the game
at 1-all and forcing overtime.
Freshman Alex Toomey
held his ground in net with five saves for the Cadets, as Rams
freshman Matt Esposito made three saves during the
contest. Neither goalie recorded a save in overtime.
Less than five minutes into extra time, neither team had found
themselves in a goal-scoring opportunity, nor had either team been
able to manage to get a shot off. All it took, however was
sophomore Mike
Ravenelle finding Flanagan in front
of the net for the Cadets to earn a chance on net.
Flanagan connected with the pass, serving a
beautiful header into the net, out of Esposito's
reach for the game-winning goal.
The Cadets will move on to the quarterfinal round on Saturday,
Oct. 30. At this time, the opponent and time of the contest is
still to be announced.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Langille Photography
