NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The men's lacrosse team dominated the quarterfinal round with a 19-1 defeat over the Lions of Emerson College on Howard Field Tuesday afternoon. Unfortunate academic circumstances at Emerson only allowed the Lions to travel and field nine players in their postseason efforts.

The Cadets played a respectful 10 vs. 9 game with the Lions, working to help the young Norwich squad gain experience at the playoff level of competition and work on the skills they'll need to be successful in their matchup against the Lasers.

Eleven different players stepped up for the maroon and gold to tally points in the postseason round, especially the first years on the team. Freshmen Ian Thomas and Ian Mendoza both scored trifectas, while Andrew Dustin and Zachary McMillian scored two apiece. Senior Patrick Sikora and sophomore Judd Baggett also put in a pair, while five other Cadets wrapped up the scoring.

The game also received the most earned assists from Cadets this season, as senior Tyler Nicoll added three helpers and a goal, sophomore Joe Galante had two assists and one goal, as did senior Tyler Woods, and Dustin and Thomas tallied one assist each.

It was Dan Gold who stole the shutout hopes from the Cadets, as it would have been their second shutout in as many games within the past week. Norwich held the Lions scoreless for the entire game until 10:44 remained in the final quarter. Gold found the back of the net on sophomore Caleb Fournier, proving the visitors would play until the final whistle.

The Cadets controlled 20-of-23 face-offs, with sophomore Nate Fortezzo going a perfect 7-for-7, and classmate Arron Canarelli winning all six of his face-offs, as well.

Norwich outshot their opponent 42-6, and picked up 28 ground balls to the Lions' 10. Fournier stopped the three shots on net that Emerson was able to get off, while the Cadets kept Emerson goalkeeper, Zoe Fisk, busy with 10 saves.

The win advances Norwich to the semifinal round, hosted by the Lasell Lasers. The Cadets will have their chance at a rematch on Grellier Field on Thursday at 4 p.m. In their last meeting at Lasell earlier this spring, Norwich faced an unfortunate 10-1 loss, but will look to reverse that this week to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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