NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's lacrosse team hung tough in a 14-7 bout against conference-undefeated Simmons University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play at Sabine Field on Saturday afternoon.

Quinn Mustone (Medford, Mass.) and Valentina Drown (Acton, Maine) anchored the Cadet offense, scooping in a pair of goals each.  Maddie Etherton (Johnstown, N.Y.), Ellie Moriarty (Stowe, Vt.), and Michaila Furchak (Nyack, N.Y.) rounded out the scoring with a goal each.

The Cadets struck first, as Etherton opened the contest on a free-position attempt just two and a half minutes in, lightly tapping a shot past Katie Castle in the crease.  Minutes later, the Sharks came alive, rattling off six-straight goals to take control.

Norwich would not go quietly, outscoring Simmons, 3-2, in the second quarter, whittling the Sharks' lead down to 7-4 at one point on back-to-back tallies from Moriarty and Drown in a minute window.

Simmons would again push the game out of reach in the third quarter, courtesy of four-straight goals from Abby Stoller.  Mustone responded on a man-up opportunity to cease the run, before Frida Turriza added one more in the waning seconds.

A pair of goals in the fourth quarter, coming from Mustone and Drown, would bring Norwich back to within six, 13-7, until Stoller added her seventh and final score to finish out the affair.

The Cadets owned a 13-12 edge in draw controls, while enjoying 16 successful clears and securing 18 ground balls.  Maeve Noble-Lowe (Freedom, Maine) stood stout between the pipes, turning away 17 shots.

Norwich will now travel south for a crucial midweek showdown at the University of St. Joseph (Conn.) on Wednesday, Apr. 5, scheduled for 4:00 p.m.