PROVIDENCE, R.I. - A strong third quarter by Johnson & Wales University propelled the Wildcats past the Norwich University men's lacrosse team, 11-9, in an afternoon Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tilt on Saturday afternoon.

Mitchell McKay (Lynnfield, Mass.) tied a career-high in goals, threading four past JWU's Trent Madigan to lead the Cadets.  Chris Smith (Dawsonville, Ga.) and Alex Johnston (Franklin, Tenn.) trailed with two goals each, while Clayton Cisar (Aberdeen, Md.) netted his first career goal.

The Wildcats struck first on an Alex Padula score just 35 seconds in, but Johnston and McKay handed the Cadets their first lead minutes later.  JWU would score four of the next five goals, taking a 5-3 edge halfway through the second frame.

Norwich proceeded to score three-straight, including a pair of tallies from Smith and McKay in the closing 38 seconds of the half, to reclaim a one-goal advantage before the buzzer.  The teams would exchange goals out of the gates, with Cisar giving the Cadets their final lead of the contest.

Johnson & Wales subsequently netted three in a row to claim its own two-goal lead, which was swiftly erased in the opening minute and eight seconds of the fourth quarter off Smith and McKay goals. JWU's Mike Catuosco nipped the nine-all deadlock just six seconds later, as JWU's defense stood stout en route to victory.

Matt Meehan (Norfolk, Mass.) and Christian Masonius (Belmar, N.J.) logged two helpers for the Cadets.

Norwich will look to rebound on Tuesday, hosting Rivier University for a 4:00 p.m. contest in GNAC action on Sabine Field.