HENNIKER, N.H. – The Norwich University men's lacrosse team was downed by the host Pilgrims from New England College in overtime on Wednesday, falling 14-13. The Cadets drop to 0-2 on the young season while the Pilgrims earn their first win in three games. 

Ahead by a 12-10 margin with 8:07 to go in regulation time, New England College rattled off four of the game's next five goals that included Sean Largay's overtime winner with 2:24 to go in the extra stanza. 

Senior Nick Imbriani (Foxboro, Mass.) and junior Michael Cashman (East Kingston, N.H.) led the Cadets with four points, the former notching three goals and one assist and the latter scoring once and adding three assists. Cashman and face-off specialist Jack Dwyer (Shelburne, Vt.) collected four ground balls – Dwyer ended the day with 16 wins at the "X" on 28 total chances. 

The Pilgrims scored the game's first five goals, but Norwich used a furious scoring rally to take a 6-5 lead with 6:55 to go in the first half following an unassisted goal from senior Joe Wood (White River Junction, Vt.). After trading goals, the Cadets captured a 7-6 lead at halftime following a goal from junior Josh Jenkins (Centennial, Colo.) with 3:13 left on the second quarter scoreboard. 

Despite a quick goal by NEC only 1:19 into the second half, the Cadets scored three-straight times to create a game-high advantage of three goals, 10-7. The Pilgrims would tie the game at 10 with three-straight tallies, but Imbriani and Jenkins would re-establish a lead for Norwich, 12-10. 

Both teams fired 40 shots in the contest but Norwich won the ground ball battle, 39-to-37. The Cadets also held advantages in face-off wins (17-to-14), extra-man goals (2-to-1) and saves (14-to-12), but committed 23 turnovers in the contest. NEC was led by an eight-point effort from Matt Richard (4-4=8).

Sophomore Ian Kriger (Burlington, Mass.) yielded six goals on 10 shots before being relieved by junior Tyler LoPorto (Weston, Fla.) in the second half and overtime. LoPorto made 10 saves on 18 shots and drew the tough-luck loss after allowing the overtime strike to Largay. NEC's William Platt made 12 saves on 25 shots, collecting his first win of the year. 

The Cadets welcome Plymouth State University to Northfield, Vt. this Saturday, Mar. 11 at 1 p.m.