NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University football team battled WPI Saturday afternoon at Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium, before ultimately falling 28-2 to the Engineers.

Prior to the game the football program recognized the contributions of the teams' seniors over the course of their collegiate careers, both in the classroom and on the field.

Norwich offensively was led by Rashawn Fraser (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) who went 9 for 20 for 88 yards in the air while also leading the rushing attack with 63 yards on the ground. Nate Parady (Saint Albans, Vt.) and Jehric Hackney (Jerico, Vt.) combined for 71 yards on the ground. Haleola Thomas (Waianae, Hawaii) had three catches for 55 yards receiving and Trevor Chase (Eliot, Maine) added three catches for 25 yards.

Defensively, the Cadets recorded 2 sacks and three tackles for loss in the contest.  Zev Motew (Highland Park, Ill.) led Norwich, being in on 12 tackles for the Cadets. Patrick Keefe (Andover, Mass.) recorded an interception in the game.

The game started with Fraser completing his opening pass of the game to Chase for 28 yards to get into WPI territory.  After nine plays, the drive stalled out at the WPI 34-yard line.

WPI took over and drove 66 yards for a touchdown that was finished off with a Zachary Levy 6-yard touchdown run.

After being stopping the Cadets at the one-yard line, The Engineers took over.  After picking up a first down, the Cadets defense forced WPI to punt with the ball situated at their six-yard line.  Off the snap, the WPI punter, fumbled the ball in the back of the endzone and was unable to recover before rolling out the back of the endzone for a safety.

After receiving the ball after the Safety, Norwich turned the ball over off an interception by WPI's Ethan Catania. WPI was able to take advantage of the short field with a two play 25-yard drive to take a 14-2 advantage at the half.

WPI struck again using a 7 play, 80-yard drive to take a 21-2 lead. The Engineers scored for the final time in the fourth quarter, with a 19-yard touchdown pass by Brendan Olexa to Ethan Farrah.  

At halftime, longtime Norwich Athletic Director Anthony Mariano was honored by the NEWMAC for his commitment to Norwich and his contributions to establishing NEWMAC Football.

Norwich (2-7, 1-4 NEWMAC) will travel down to Washington, D.C. for their final contest of the season next weekend against Catholic.