Box Score RUTLAND, Vt. – The Norwich University men's soccer team returned to the field in a triumphant manor on Sunday with a 4-1 win over Castleton, playing in its first intercollegiate game in 508 days.
Sophomore forward Joseph Thongsythavong (Salem, Mass.) scored twice, while juniors Amerle Nemeye (South Burlington, Vt.) and Bienfait Badibanga (Burlington, Vt.) each scored once to lead the Norwich offense in the victory.
Norwich junior goalkeeper Ben Wasco (Arlington, Mass.) made one save to pick up his first collegiate victory in goal.
The Cadets (1-0) wasted little time scoring in their first game in over 500 days as Thongsythavong found the back of the net just 34 seconds into the game with a terrific individual effort, dribbling through a horde of Castleton defenders, cutting the ball back and then firing a low shot into the left corner of the net to make it 1-0 Norwich in the opening minute.
Castleton (0-1) answered just under three minutes later, capitalizing on a Norwich defensive breakdown that allowed Stanley Anderson a clean break in on a goal after he dispossessed a NU defender and then chipped the ball over a charging Wasco to level the score at 1-1.
Nemeye put Norwich back on top in the 22nd minute with an unassisted goal that would prove to be the difference. Nemeye blasted a free kick from 21 yards out with his left foot that curled over the wall of Castleton defenders and into the top right corner of the net.
Thongsythavong added his second goal of the game in the 60th minute with a pretty 360-degree turn after receiving a pass from Matt Bento (Ridgefield, Conn.) and then blasting a left-footed shot into the net to extend the lead to 3-1 with his second goal of the season.
Badibanga capped the scoring, heading home a pretty crossing pass from Bryce Sullenger (Gaithersburg, Md.) to push the lead to 4-1. Sullenger made a move to get around a defender and then took his space on the right wing before crossing the ball over to Badibanga in the penalty area, who headed it into the corner of the net for the goal.
Norwich will return to action on Wednesday, April 7 when it hosts NVU Johnson on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium at 7 p.m.
