NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The women's soccer team hosted Albertus Magnus College for the GNAC quarterfinals on Sunday. With a hat trick from sophomore Lisa Esparza and a dominant second half, the Cadets shutout the Falcons in 5-0 fashion on Howard Field on a snowy Halloween day.

Early in the first half of action, Esparza was in prime position to knock in a shot that sophomore Brittany Casey had bounced on the post. The Cadets led 1-0 at the half, as senior Nicki Hunsicker had only faced one shot on goal by the Falcons in the first 45 minutes.

The Cadets soon took control of the game and quickly put distance between them and their opponent. Three minutes into second half play, sophomore Bianca Bogda made a play on a throw-in by Megan Gingras, to turn and shoot past Falcons' freshman goalkeeper Christina Dineson.

Esparza netted two back-to-back goals to secure her hat trick performance, receiving helpers from senior Karissa Doyon on the first goal, and another connection with Casey on the second.

With twenty minutes remaining in regulation time, freshman Baylie Lamarre took a free kick from the bottom of the circle in Falcons' territory, connecting with Casey in the box, as Casey was able to redirect the play for the fifth and final goal of the contest.

Hunsicker played the 90 minutes in net, setting aside four shots, while Dineson finished her full-game in net with eight saves.

Norwich (12-7 overall) will now progress to the semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 3. Depending on how the afternoon's games fall in the GNAC tournament, the Cadets will either travel to Suffolk University or host Emmanuel College.