NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's lacrosse team could not hold on to a halftime lead in their 2023 opener, falling victim to a third-quarter onslaught to Plymouth State University in a 12-8 loss on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium on Wednesday night.

Jack Haley (Falkville, Ala.) was electrifying, slipping four goals past the Panthers' Owen McNichols to lead the Cadet offense.  Matt Meehan (Norfolk, Mass.) scored a deuce, while Tyler Seidel (Centreville, Md.) and Mitchell McKay (Lynnfield, Mass.) added a goal apiece.

Neither team wasted any time finding the back of the net, as Haley posted his first less than four minutes in before the Panthers responded.  Seidel broke the 1-1 deadlock minutes later, before Joey Loeber again knotted things up.  The Cadets found some breathing room to end the first and begin the second, logging a pair of goals on man-up opportunities from McKay and Haley.

Plymouth State's offense began to click, courtesy of the tandem of Nolan Burke and Jake Dolcimascolo, who combined for three goals and an assist to give the Panthers their first lead.  Haley and Meehan pushed Norwich back ahead, giving Norwich a 6-5 edge at the break.

An exchange of goals between Burke and Meehan saw the Cadets claim their final lead, 7-6, at the 9:49 mark of the third quarter, before Plymouth State ripped through six-straight goals to capture all momentum.  Haley delivered some life to Norwich in the closing minutes, but the Panthers held firm en route to their 12-8 win.

Crosby Fay led Plymouth State with four goals, while Dolcimascolo logged three goals and three assists.  Thomas Kelliher (Shrewsbury, Mass.) made nine saves in his first collegiate start in maroon and gold.

The Cadets will return home on Saturday, Mar. 4, for a 4:00 p.m. clash against non-conference rival New England College, before hitting the road to Massachusetts for their spring break trip, which sees stops at Massachusetts Maritime Academy and UMass Boston on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.