NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Despite a stalwart defensive effort that kept Norwich in a deadlock with the ninth-ranked team in the nation for most of the tilt, the Cadets would fall short in the second half to Middlebury, dropping a 3-1 contest in non-conference action on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium on Wednesday evening.
 
Colliding with one of the premier defenses in the nation and the reigning D3soccer.com Goalkeeper of the Year Middlebury's Ryan Grady, the Cadets nearly cracked through the early scoreless stalemate with a Joseph Thongsythavong (Salem, Mass.) attempt that ricocheted off the head of Grady and banked off the crossbar.
 
The Panthers would take the opportunity to strike first, after a throw-in from Middlebury led to back-to-back headers, with the second banking off Luke Madden's head just over the reach of Robert Wagenseller (Poway, Calif.). Middlebury's defense would ramp up to close out the opening 45 minutes, preventing Norwich from getting another shot.
 
Norwich rushed out of the intermission with newfound intensity, powered by a Mamadi Jiana (Chicopee, Mass.) shot that was initially batted away by Grady. Thongsythavong corralled the rebound before Grady could get back into position, setting up Jiana for his first goal of the season to tie things up.
 
Middlebury would quickly squander Norwich's hopes, however, after a long kick in front of Norwich's goal would bounce off the feet of Alem Hadzic and over the long frame of Wagenseller. After a potential game-tying goal from Thongsythavong was called off due to offsides, the Panthers added an insurance goal in the 65th minute from Jordan Saint-Louis.
 
The Panthers finished with a 10-5 edge in shots over Norwich, in addition to a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal. Grady tallied a single save, while Wagenseller hauled in two saves for Norwich.
 
The tilt, which was originally meant to take place at Middlebury on Tuesday but was postponed due to weather, served as the Cadets' home opener. Norwich will now continue their four-game homestand with a 6 p.m. duel against Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Regis (Mass.) on Saturday, Sept. 17, as part of Homecoming Weekend.