NEWTON, Mass. – In Norwich's best statistical game of the season, the Cadets came up short against Lasell in the GNAC semifinals, 13-9, on Grellier Field. Outshooting the Lasers 42-26, winning 20-of-26 face-offs and going a perfect 12-for-12 in clears, the Cadets were unable to get the bounce they needed to overcome their GNAC-foes.

Senior Patrick Sikora, sophomore Joe Galante, and freshman Marco Wiederaenders each put in two goals apiece, while the rookie added an assist to the action to lead the team with three points on the afternoon.

Freshman Andrew Dustin netted a goal and picked up 10 ground balls, as sophomore Nate Fortezzo was 20-for-27 in face-offs. Protecting the net, freshman Mark Paradiso made seven saves.

The Lasers get off to an early start as Dan Clark put them on the board. Senior Tyler Woods answered back on the Cadets' next play, swiping the top-right corner. Fortezzo won the next draw and the Cadets were in position to take the lead. Just like it was written, senior Tyler Nicoll connected with freshman Ian Mendoza from behind the net for a one-timer and Norwich took the lead.

Two more goals by the home team, including an impressive fight to the net by Lasers' Dylan Gray quickly took the lead back.

Sophomore Arron Canarelli found an opportunity for a grounded shot, but the bounce went over the net. Norwich kept possession and Sikora lined up for a sidearm, but Lasell's quick goalie reacted in time for a blocked shot.

Norwich tried to find an opening in the Lasers' defense, with Dustin taking a shot before the buzzer, but the Lasers held on 3-2.

The wind picked up, but the game went on as the teams entered the second quarter. Norwich scored first to take hold of the momentum as Sikora shot a sniper on net as he went to the ground just outside the crease. With the game an even-3, the Cadets won the draw and were back in Lasell's zone.

They weren't without their shot attempts, but Norwich was unable to get the ball passed the Lasell goalie.

Sikora found another attempt five minutes into the quarter, bouncing a shot off the goalkeeper's cleat, but the ball was kept in play by the Cadets as Wiederaenders rounded the net and swept one by the unexpected defense, giving Norwich the lead, 4-3.

The Lasers answered back with four goals as the second quarter passed by and Norwich worked to get back into the offensive territory.

Senior Jason Moore caused a turnover on Lasell's next attempt and the Cadets worked the ball into their attacking zone at the two-minute mark. Norwich was unable to find the back of the net, but held off Lasell and went into halftime facing a 7-4 deficit.

Five minutes into the second half, Dylan Fernandes, a blue and white player with a sniper shot, made an unstoppable play past Paradiso in the net and made it a four-goal game for the Cadets.

Galante answered back less than half a minute later after connecting with Fortezzo in the zone to bring it back within three.

Lasell netted two more impressive goals to make it a 10-5 game in favor of the home team when the horn sounded for a 30-minute weather delay due to thunder and lightning.

It was Norwich who returned to the field with fresh legs and a new intensity, as the Cadets went on a three-goal run to finish the third quarter. Wiederaenders scored first, before following up on the next play to assist Galante.

Canarelli put a shot on goal, which was deflected by the goalkeeper and picked up by Dustin who was able to convert it for his goal of the game with 1.8 seconds remaining in the third, as the Cadets worked to close the gap.

Sikora brought the game within one point as he scooped the top of the net to make it 10-9 at the start of the fourth quarter.

It was the last goal the Cadets would be able to record, but the Lasers notched four more over the course of the final period.

Although the 13-9 loss signified the end of the Cadets postseason hopes, they still have one more non-conference game to be played before they wrap up their 2011 season. On Wednesday, the Cadets will host Johnson State at 4 p.m. on Howard Field.

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