NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's lacrosse team fell to in-state rival Castleton University on Thursday night, dropping the home contest by an 11-6 final score.

Castleton got their offense rolling early, with quick goals from Erin Shuttle and Emily Cross to jump out to a 2-0 lead. Norwich finally got on the board with nine minutes remaining in the half via a Kathryn Albretsen (Cotuit, Mass.) goal off an assist from Olivia Bloom (Annapolis, Md.). The two teams traded goals for the remainder of the half, and at the break, Castleton held a 7-4 advantage. 

The second half was much quieter offensively for both sides, as the defense took over the remainder of the game. The combination of Cross, Shuttle, and Nadine Downing netted four goals for Castleton in the half to outscore the Cadets 4-2 and seal up the 11-6 victory.

Bloom and Albretsen each had two goals apiece for the Cadets, with Mary-Kait Mace (Canton, N.Y.) and Emily Schromm (North Attleboro, Mass.) each had one of their own. Mace also picked up a game-high seven ground balls on the day, as well as a team-leading four draw controls. Shuttle had four goals for Castleton while Downing and Cross netted hat tricks. 

The loss drops Norwich down to 1-2 on the young season, while Castleton improves to 2-4. Norwich stays right at home for their next game, with the Beavers of the University of Maine at Farmington coming to town for a 1:00 start on Sunday afternoon.