NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University football team struck on their first play from scrimmage, but they were unable to hold on in the second half as they fell 30-21 on homecoming Saturday against Endicott in a non-conference matchup.

Endicott moves to 3-1 with the victory, while Norwich moves to 1-3 on the season after their final non-conference tune-up.

The Cadets first play from scrimmage was a touchdown pass by Mitchell Theal (Elma, N.Y.) connected on a pass to his right to Trevor Chase for the 70-yard score. The extra-point try by Zach Bushy (Suffolk, Va.) was good, putting the Cadets up 7-0 in the first 14 seconds of the game.

Freshman Jeremy Henault (Goffstown, N.H.) stopped an Endicott drive with an interception to give Norwich possession at the Gulls 12 yard-line. The Cadets followed with three straight rushes from Nate Parady (Saint Albans, Vt.) who concluded the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.

The Gulls would get onto the scoreboard after a blocked punt, gave them possession at the 6 yard-line.  Mike Ingraffia was able to break the plane on a two-yard rush, helping put the Endicott deficit in half. A 32-yard field goal by the Gulls' Ryan Smith with 32 seconds remaining put Endicott down by four at the half.

In the third quarter, Ingraffia completed a six-yard pass to Shane Aylward, capping off a seven play, 71-yard drive. The Gulls following possession resulted in a 36-yard field goal, giving them their first lead of the game with 5:16 left in the third quarter.

Norwich was then able to compile a nine play, 75-yard drive where Theal found Chase for the second time in the game for a touchdown. After the extra point, the Cadets took the lead back after 3:24 of trailing.

In the fourth quarter Smith again made his third field goal of the contest, this time from 40 yards out, with 11:21 on the clock, giving the Gulls a 23-21 lead, and one they would not relinquish.

Endicott would close out the Cadets with a option play running to the right, where Ingraffia pitched the ball out to Anthony Caggianelli who finished the 42 yard play in the endzone.

Norwich has finished non-conference play and will begin to focus on NEWMAC competition, with their conference contest coming on Saturday, Oct. 2 when they travel to New London, Conn. for a matchup with the Coast Guard Academy.  The Cadets' won the rivalry game in 2019, and will look to keep the "Mug" in Northfield.