HENNIKER, N.H. – The Norwich University women's lacrosse team was unable to claw back from a six-goal first-half deficit in a 17-10 loss to New England College on Saturday afternoon at Don Melander Field.

Norwich (0-2) got on the board at the 26:21 mark when senior Kathryn Preul (Scottsdale, Ariz.) ripped home a pass from sophomore Allison Sturgeon (Monticello, Ind.). Unfortunately, that goal was sandwiched in between four goals New England College (1-2) used to open the game with a 4-1 lead through the first six minutes of action.

Another goal by Pruel, this time on a feed from junior Michaila Furchak (Nyack, N.Y.), combined with Sturgeon's unassisted effort brought the Cadets to within one at 4-3 still with 22 minutes to go in the opening frame.

A four spot by NEC in a span of a minute contributed to a six-goal run which broke the game open at 10-3 and forced Norwich into having to dig itself out of a hole.

Sophomore Valentina Drown (Acton, Maine) set up both of the next Cadet goals, one from Furchak along with freshman Jasmin Contreras' (Glendale, Calif.) first collegiate marker, to bring the Cadets to within 10-5 nearing halftime. However, Alexandria Stafford's fifth goal of the first half took the Pilgrims into the break leading 11-5.

Despite a better showing in the second half, Norwich was not able to make any inroads cutting into the lead. Furchak scored three more goals in the period to lead Norwich's attack with Drown picking up assists on her last two goals.

Furchak and Preul led the way for the Cadets each scoring four goals. Drown facilitated the offense with a career-high four assists while Sturgeon contributed a goal and a pair of helpers to go with her career-best 9 draw controls. Contreras, senior Shawnae Evans (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), and junior Brittney Poljacik (Woodstock, Vt.) combined for six caused turnovers on the defensive front.

Freshman Maeve Noble-Lowe (Freedom, Maine) and senior Sydney Rocheville (Salem, Mass.) split duties in goal with Noble-Lowe making 9 first-half saves and Rocheville debuting in the second half turning aside six shots.

Norwich will next battle intrastate rival Castleton University in non-conference action on Monday night at 7 p.m.