NORTHFIELD, Vt. –The long-awaited home-opener in Northfield, Vt. took place on Saturday afternoon in the breezy, 30-degree weather on Howard Field, where the women's lacrosse team defeated Simmons College, 17-5.

The Cadets are now 6-2 overall and remain undefeated in the GNAC with a perfect 6-0 record. The Sharks fell to 4-2 in conference play and now stand at 6-3 overall for the season.

Freshman Grace Fitzpatrick led the Cadets with six goals, while junior captain Kacey Abbriano tallied an addition four. Fitzpatrick led Norwich at the 'x' to win 17-of-23 face-offs. The two teammates are now tied with 27 goals on the season.

Freshman Courtney Saheim netted a goal that boosted her to 20 goals and 14 assists on the season, giving her 34 points to lead the team overall.

Junior Danielle Del Dotto found the back of the net on two snipers over the course of action, as classmates Mollie Fitzpatrick, Chelsea Martin and Lindsey Mathias each score a goal apiece, with the former three tallying the Cadets' assists.

For the Sharks, Meaghan Maurice netted two goals and picked up three ground balls, winning all seven of the face-offs that were recorded for Simmons.

In net, senior Kellie Pickel set aside four shots on goal by the Sharks, while Simmons' Kelly Last made eight saves.

Norwich led their opponents 9-2 at the half, finally having the ability to use their home field to their advantage, mixed with the chill that commonly sweeps across Howard Field.

Abbriano reached hat trick status before halftime, as Del Dotto tallied her two goals in the first 30 minutes of play, as well.

Fitzpatrick picked up her scoring in the second half, netting four goals in the latter part of play.

Simmons did not back down, even as they sat 15 goals back from breaking even with the Cadets. The Sharks made sure they had the final say, as they netted two goals in the final two and a half minutes of regulation time.

Norwich will remain at home for the remainder of their regular season schedule. On Wednesday, the Cadets will face-off against Mount Ida at 4 p.m., followed by their "Senior Day" game which will be held on Saturday at Howard Field against the Monks of St. Joseph's of Maine.

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