PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Norwich University men's lacrosse team opened the 2022 campaign with a victory over Plymouth State University, defeating the Panthers for the first time since 1997 with a 13-10 victory Sunday afternoon at Panther Field.

Parker Campbell (Rockaway, N.J) registered a team-high six points on the day, scoring three-goals for a hat trick while dishing out three assists. Jake Andrews-Pestana (Napa, Calif.) and Payden Masaracchia (Enola, Pa.) each scored four points scoring four goals and three goals and an assist respectively. In net Andrew Morgan (Derry, N.H.) collected six saves in the second collegiate start of his career.

Jack Anzalone (Ridgewood, N.J.) and Clayton Cisar (Aberdeen, Md.) each caused three turnovers, and Thomas Muraski (Keller, Texas) went 13-25 in faceoffs and picked up a team-high 10 ground balls.

As a team the Cadets and Panthers were even in faceoffs, splitting the opportunities right down the middle 13-13. Norwich outshot Plymouth State 45-34 in the contest, while the Panthers were able to edge out the Cadets 35-34 in the ground ball battle.

Norwich and the Panthers were scoreless until Campbell broke through with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter to put the Cadets on the board. Andrews-Pestana added another goal 1:35 later. Masaracchia added another goal in the first half, after receiving the pass from Campbell, taking a 3-0 lead into the second frame.

The Cadets scored the first seven goals of the game, with Andrews-Pestana recording three in the first half. Plymouth State scored two goals at the end of the half to end the Cadet streak at seven, going into the half with the cadets leading 7-2.

Norwich scored in the opening 2:04, but the Panthers again went on a run scoring three straight goals to close the gap to three. Norwich opened the lead back to six, with a goal by Tyler Seidel (Centreville, Md.) to make it 11-5. Norwich gave up a goal to the Panthers but Andrews-Pestana scored a goal of his own to give the Cadets a 12-6 lead after three quarters of play.

In the fourth quarter, Plymouth State struck four times to shrink the lead down to 12-10 with 4:21 remaining, but the Cadets' defense was able to hold and Jones was able to score off an assist by Anzalone to seal the 13-10 victory for Norwich.

Norwich (1-0, 0-0 GNAC) will host Plattsburgh at 3 pm on Saturday, Mar. 5 for their first home contest of the 2022 season. They will then travel to Mass. Maritime on Wednesday, Mar. 9 at 7 pm.