Box Score CASTLETON, Vt. – The Norwich University men's soccer team evened its record to .500 on the season with a 3-2 victory over in-state rival Castleton University on Tuesday night at Spartan Stadium in non-conference action.
Noah Schiers (South Weber, Utah), Luke Gleadle (Gilbert, Ariz.) and Alec Brigante (Colchester, Vt.) each scored goals to lead the Cadets' offense in the victory
Senior goalkeeper Billy Whaley (Northfield, Vt.) picked up the victory in his first collegiate start after making five saves.
Norwich (3-3-2, 0-0-2 GNAC) opened the scoring in the 24th minute with Noah Schiers converting off a corner kick by his brother Moab Schiers (South Weber, Utah). Moab's service attempt went to the top of the box and Gleadle was first to get a touch on it. The ball kicked out to Noah, he settled it and ripped a missile into the top of the net and over Castleton goalkeeper's head.
Castleton (1-4-2) answered in the 29th minute with Fidele Rutayisire ripping a shot short side from a tough angle along the goal line that beat Whaley to the left post. Seth Wilmott picked up the assist on the goal.
Norwich quickly took control of the game at the start of the second half with a goal in the first three minutes to regain the lead for good. Brigante notched his second of the season with a header off a broken play on a failed clear attempt that bounced of Colin Lozito's back. Brigante was first to the header in the air and directed it toward the goal. Castleton's Dan Palker got a fingertip on it, but it wasn't enough to keep it out of the goal.
Norwich made it 3-1 in the 53rd minute when Gleadle scored his first collegiate goal off a penalty kick. He beat Palker to the side of the net.
Castleton answered in the 58th minute with Dallas Desroches scoring on a header off a corner kick to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Castleton outshot Norwich 11-4 in the second half, but the Spartans were unable to find the equalizer. Castleton outshot Norwich 20-10 for the game and had 11 corner kicks to Norwich's three.
Norwich will look to keep up the momentum on Saturday when it travels to Lasell for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest.
