NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich men's lacrosse team will put its home unbeaten streak on the line as it ends its regular season with a non-conference matchup against rival New England College on Wednesday evening at Sabine Field at 6 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 38th meeting between the two programs dating back to 1969 when the Cadets initiated the series with a 20-4 victory. The teams have played every year since 2016 and twice in 2019 when the teams met in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Norwich has not fared well over time as suggested by its 5-32 all-time record against NEC. The Cadets have lost 22-straight times to the Pilgrims, having last claimed a victory on April 14, 1983, when Norwich needed overtime to upend the Pilgrims 9-8 at home. The last eight meetings have all been decided by three goals or less.
LAST MEETING
The teams last met in the second game of the current season, which saw the Cadets squander a two-goal lead in the third quarter losing 10-8 on the road. The Cadets were outscored 4-2 in the final stanza as the Pilgrims sealed the game. Graduate Jack Anzalone scored a hat trick to lead the Cadets while freshman Mitchell McKay tallied a pair of goals and an assist. Seniors Patrick Storie and Connor Smith lead the way for the Pilgrims with five points each.
SCOUTING THE PILGRIMS
NEC (5-3) comes into the game having beaten Castleton, 15-6, last Thursday at home. The Pilgrims' offense scores an average of 11.88 goals per game while the defense surrenders 10.63 goals per contest. Smith and Storie lead the Pilgrims' attack combining for 72 points. Smith leads the team with 28 goals and ranks in the top 50 in the NCAA in goals per game, while Storie serves as primary playmaker registering 24 assists to go along with his 16 goals. NEC is backed by a strong pairing in net with graduate Mark Paquariello and freshman Michael Catalano. Paquariello has played in just three of eight games, but owns a 3-0 record including the win over the Cadets earlier this season, and boasts a 6.29 goals-against average and 58.1 save percentage. Catalano has given up 13.00 goals per game and owns a 44.4 save percentage.
SCOUTING THE CADETS
Norwich (6-3) is looking to break the streak against the Pilgrims with a win heading into the GNAC Quarterfinals just around the corner. The Cadets were outplayed 15-5 in their most recent game against conference rival Lasell last Tuesday. Norwich has been true to its roots, playing tough defense (8.8 goals allowed per game) and getting distributed scoring throughout the season (13.33 goals scored per game). The defense is spearheaded by a pair of standout defenders in senior Sean Wallace, who leads the GNAC in caused turnovers (22) and ranks in the top 50 in the NCAA in caused turnovers per game (2.44), and freshman Mason McMahon who is tied for fourth in the GNAC in caused turnovers (16). Senior Nick Kandra backstops the Cadets and ranks inside the top 30 in the nation with a 7.98 goals-against average. The offense is led by senior Payden Masaracchia who leads the team with 27 goals and Anzalone and junior Parker Campbell who each have tallied 32 points.
LIVE COVERAGE
Due to safety precautions this season, no spectators will be allowed at the athletic facilities, however, the game will be live-streamed on the Norwich Broadcast Network
UP NEXT
Norwich will patiently await the GNAC conference pairings for the men's lacrosse tournament to determine who it will host in the opening round.
