NORTHFIELD, Vt. – After two tough, low-scoring games to start the season, the Norwich women's hockey team's offense exploded in a big way on Friday night, pounding Castleton State 11-1 at Kreitzberg Arena to open ECAC East play.

Julie Fortier notched a hat trick in the first period to help the Cadets (2-1-0, 1-0-0 ECAC East) jump out to a 7-1 lead after the first 20 minutes.

Stephanie Invernizzi opened the scoring with her first goal of the year just 4:51 into the period. Invernizzi tipped a centering pass from Sophie Leclerc who was standing at the half boards to give the Cadets a 1-0 lead.

Castleton (1-2-0, 0-1-0 ECAC East) answered right back as 59 seconds later Kaitlin Hayes knotted the score at one by beating Norwich freshman goalie Kelly Fisk, who made her first career start. Hayes capitalized on a Norwich turnover and released a wrist shot that crossed Fisk up, beating her over the shoulder.

However, the stalemate didn't last long as sophomore Jillyane DeBus tallied her first goal in a Norwich uniform just under a minute later for what would eventually be the game-winning goal. DeBus walked out from behind the net and then beat Castleton goalie Amanda Hoy on her backhand.

Fortier notched two of her goals back-to-back coming just 2:59 apart to increase the Norwich lead to 4-1.

Fortier's natural hat trick (three consecutive goals) was only interrupted by Leclerc notching her third goal of the season at the 14:51 mark.

Invernizzi closed the first-period scoring with her second tally of the game.

DeBus and Sarah Scardino added tallies in the second period to stretch the lead to 9-1 and forcing Castleton to pull Hoy for Taylor Weaver.

Caitie Banfield scored her second goal of the season off an assist from Leclerc before Leclerc capped the scoring with her 50^th career goal at Norwich on a breakaway. The senior captain deked Weaver before beating her five hole on her backhand to give the Cadets an 11-1 lead. Leclerc now has 117 points in her illustrious career in the maroon and gold.

Leclerc led the offense with two goals and three assists and now has eight points in just three games. Fortier had four points and Debus added two goals and two assists to round out the Norwich offensive leaders.

Fisk picked up her first career win turning aside seven shots, while Hoy was saddled with the loss making 16 saves while giving up nine goals in 32:36 before being pulled for Weaver.

12 different Norwich skaters recorded a point.

Norwich returns to action Saturday afternoon when it hosts New England College at 3 p.m. at Kreitzberg Arena.