BOSTON, MASS. – The midfielder trio of senior Kacey Abbriano (Hicksville, N.Y.), sophomore Grace Fitzpatrick (Falmouth, Maine) and freshman Gina Conroy (Amherst, N.H.) sparked Norwich University's Great Northeast Athletic Conference-opening win at Emmanuel March 20.

Abbriano posted seven goals and an assist for a sparkling eight-point night in the 20-4 final. Fitzpatrick and Conroy contributed four goals apiece.

It didn't take long for Coach Beth Van Parys' squad to prove its top spot pick on the GNAC preseason poll. The Maroon and Gold peppered the Saints' net with five goals less than seven minutes in and held a 14-2 lead at the break. Norwich opened the second half on a similar roll scoring two goals in less than five minutes.

Abbriano and Fitzpatrick each fired off eight shot attempts. Senior attacker Suzanne Whitaker (Chelmsford, Mass.) and Conroy added seven each. Senior goalkeeper Meghan Kennedy (Lowell, Mass.) ended with seven saves en route to the win in net.

Norwich puts its 18-game GNAC win streak on the line Wednesday, March 21, when St. Joseph's College of Connecticut visits Northfield and Howard Field for a 4 p.m. start.