NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's lacrosse team got a career-best performance from senior Jack Anzalone (Ridgewood, N.J.) as the Cadets upended Castleton University 20-8 in the team's season home opener at Sabine Field on Saturday afternoon.

Before the game, the players and coaching staff from both teams observed a moment of silence in memory of Connor Roberts, a Norwich lacrosse player who unexpectedly passed away in June of 2014.

The teams annually dedicate this game as the Connor Roberts Memorial Game and raise money to support the CJR Memorial Fund Ltd., which awards scholarships to high school students to pursue higher education and support youth sports programs in St. Albans, Vermont, where Roberts grew up.

Norwich burst out of the gates in the opening minutes of the game with five-unanswered goals capped by the first collegiate goal from freshman Jack Haley (Falkville, Ala.). Junior Payden Masaracchia (Enola, Pa.) led the offensive outburst with a pair of goals.

Castleton's sophomore Dawson Nallette got the Spartans on the scoreboard at the 10:24 mark of the first quarter to end the run. Each team would add another goal before the end of the frame to make the score 6-2 in favor of the hosts.

Another run of five-straight goals in the second quarter for Norwich broke the game wide open as the Cadets shut out the Spartans in the period to take a commanding 11-2 lead into halftime. Masaracchia, Anzalone, senior Kevin Horchak (Mullica Hill, N.J.), and senior Russell Gilligan (Fountain Hills, Ariz.) accounted for eight of the hosts' 11 first-half goals.

Norwich continued its impressive showing during a 6-2 third-quarter run. Six different players scored during the period, including freshman Mitchell McKay (Lynnfield, Mass.) with his first career goal.

After three more Norwich goals opened up the fourth quarter to make the score 20-4, the Spartans poured in four-straight goals to end the game.

Senior Nick Kandra (Crofton, Md.) started the season with the win in net for the Cadets after stopping six shots. He gave way to junior Andrew Morgan (Derry, N.H.) in the final quarter who tallied a pair of saves. Senior Maxx Ingison made 10 saves between the pipes for Castleton before leaving the game for freshman Chris Wilk who recorded six saves.

Anzalone's career-high four assists added to his five goals led to a career-leading, nine-point effort from the captain. Horchak, Masaracchia, and Gilligan each netted a hat trick with Horchak also picking up a trio of assists to give him a career-high six total points. Senior Clyde Tamburro (Elizabethtown, Pa.) and Parker Campbell (Rockaway, N.J.) each potted a pair of goals. Freshman Thomas Muraski (Keller, Texas) was 17-of-30 in his debut at the face-off X and collected a game-high eight groundballs. Senior Sean Wallace (Sandy Hook, Conn.) led a stout defensive showing as he caused three turnovers and picked up a pair of groundballs.

Castleton was led by the four goals of junior Collin Johnson, while sophomore Jonah Janaro and Nalette each scored a pair. Junior Ryan Palmisano went 13-of-30 at the X and sophomore Tyan Hayford picked up a team-best seven groundballs.

Norwich will host St. Michael's College on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. in its next contest.