Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Sparked by the play of a pair of
seniors, Norwich University turned in a critical 16-12 Great
Northeast Athletic Conference win over Lasell April 17.
Senior midfielder Mollie
Fitzpatrick (Falmouth, Me.) scored five goals, dished
out two assists and finished with seven points, each team highs for
the Cadets (8-0, 6-0 GNAC). Fellow senior Meghan
Kennedy (Lowell, Mass.) was strong in goal
defensively, recording seven saves and repelling some late-game
offensive charges from the Lasers (12-2, 7-1 GNAC).
"We needed our upperclasswomen players to step up in a match
like this," Coach Beth VanParys said. "Mollie and Meghan played
very well in leading us.
"We had talked about staying within the game we wanted to play
before hand," she added. "Lasell is a good team and is very strong
in what they do. "
The victory gave the Cadets solo possession of the GNAC lead
with three games to go. It also increased a pair of impressive
streaks marking the program's 14th successive home and
23rd consecutive conference victory.
Both offenses started the game quickly. Fitzpatrick tallied the
game's first score 41 seconds off a free position attempt to start
a roll of seven goals in the opening 10 minutes. VanParys' side was
able to build a 6-3 lead with less than 14 minutes to go in the
first half and increased it to 9-5 at halftime behind three goals
from Fitzpatrick and two off the stick of senior midfielder
Kacey
Abbriano (Hicksville, N.Y.).
Back-to-back Maroon and Gold goals gave the home side a quick
six-goal advantage early in the second half. However, Lasell,
seeking its 12th straight win, battled back with three
straight scores to make it 11-8. NU answered with a haymaker of its
own, running off three straight, to move the lead back to 14-8,
while the visitors countered with three successive goals to make it
14-11 with 3:38 to play.
From that point, sophomore midfielder Grace
Fitzpatrick and her sister reeled off two more goals to put the
game out of reach. Norwich held a 29-25 shots edge behind eight
attempts from Abbriano. Abbriano also topped the team with seven
ground balls picked up. NU had Abbriano and Grace Fitzpatrick each
registered three goals, while senior attacker Suzanne
Whitaker (Chelmsford, Mass.) ended with two
scores.
Sophomore attacker Britney Wuorio and junior midfielder Rebecca
Stanton proved an effective one-two punch for Lasell. Wuorio, the
league's leader in goals and points, scored four goals and dished
out two assists for a six-point goal. Stanton added a hat trick of
her own.
"This was a big win, but we still have three games ahead this
week," VanParys said. "We just need to continue our focus and be
confident moving forward."
Norwich's busy week resumes Thursday, April 19, with a 4 p.m.
game at St. Joseph's College of Maine. The Cadets return home to
celebrate Senior Day 2012 when Anna Maria College visits Northfield
for a 1 p.m. start Saturday, April 21. Lasell closes its regular
season with a league clash at Mount Ida Saturday, April 21.
NOTES – Abbriano recorded her 19th straight
multiple-goal game. … Grace Fitzpatrick reached similar
results for the sixth successive contest. … Tuesday's
tight-knit final continued a recent theme of such games in the
series. The two sides have been separated by four-goals-or-less in
each of the last three meetings.
