NORTHFIELD, Vt. –Norwich University's senior Payden Masaracchia (Enola, Pa.) recorded his 100^th career point amongst his seven-point night as the men's lacrosse team snapped a 38-year winless drought against New England College with a 17-13 win on a sopping wet evening on Sabine Field.

Norwich improved to 7-3 on the season and remains a perfect 5-0 on its home field while NEC concluded its season with a 5-4 record. The teams split the season series with each team winning its home game.

The Cadets had played 22-consecutive games against New England College without a win dating back to April 14, 1983, when Norwich needed overtime to defeat NEC, 9-8. The previous eight contests had been decided by three goals or less.

Norwich led the game from start to finish and appeared to have taken control of the game from the opening faceoff. The Cadets used a 5-1 run in the opening 10 minutes of the game to put the Pilgrims on their heels. Masaracchia and senior Kevin Horchak (Mullica Hill, N.J.) each tallied a pair of goals with sophomore Callum Jones (Burlington, Ontario) and junior Parker Campbell (Rockaway, N.J.) acting as playmakers each notching two assists.

NEC was unfazed by the early deficit, however, and responded with a 4-1 run of its own spanning the last four minutes of the first quarter and the first two minutes of the second. Senior Connor Smith scored two of his team-leading five goals during the Pilgrims' run.

It appeared as if Norwich's five-consecutive goals through the midway point of the second quarter was going to effectively put the game out of reach at 11-5. Once again the Pilgrims responded with three unanswered goals to close the deficit to 11-8 with 33 seconds left before the break.

Masaracchia's fourth goal of the half with just 10 seconds remaining, however, gave the Cadets a bit more breathing room as they entered the half leading 12-8.

The third frame was quiet as NEC outscored the hosts 2-1. NEC freshman Lucas Ferreira and junior Guershon Villiere offset a goal from Jones.

Masaracchia scored another two goals through the midway point of the final stanza to maintain the lead for the Cadets, but Ferreira's second of the game brought the visitors to within 15-13 with just under five minutes to play.

Jones essentially iced the game when he took a clearing attempt from senior Nick Kandra (Crofton, Md.) and went coast-to-coast with several impressive jukes before sending a laser over the left shoulder of the Pilgrims' goalie to give Norwich a 16-13 lead with 2:11 remaining.

One last goal with the man advantage from graduate Jack Anzalone (Ridgewood, N.J.) closed out the scoring securing the long-awaited win.

Aside from Masaracchia, Campbell finished with a goal and a career-high five assists. Jones had the best offensive showing of his first season with two goals and four assists. Anzalone notched a hat trick in support of the offense.

Smith led the way offensively for the Pilgrims with five goals and a pair of assists. Villiere and senior Patrick Storie each tallied a hat trick with Storie also adding a trio of assists.

Kandra helped pave the path to victory with 15 saves while posting a 53.6 save percentage. Freshman Michael Catalano took the loss for New England giving up 12 goals on 17 shots on net. Graduate Mark Paquariello relieved Catalano at the half and stopped five shots on goal.

Norwich will host a Great Northeast Athletic Conference Quarterfinal game later this week when the second-seeded Cadets play the number seven seed Anna Maria on Friday at 7 p.m.