NEWTON, Mass. - A strong first half by the Norwich University women's lacrosse team helped send the Cadets to their third-straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory, after an 11-8 win over Lasell University on Wednesday evening at Grellier Field.

Norwich kicked off the affair in roaring fashion, scoring six unanswered goals in the opening quarter, with a pair coming from Emma O'Neill (Hamburg, N.Y.) and Maddie Etherton (Johnstown, N.Y.) each.  Quinn Mustone (Medford, Mass.) and Leocadia Clark (Stowe, Vt.) added two more in the second quarter, giving the Cadets an 8-0 lead.

Teresa Kessner put Lasell on the board minutes into the second frame, but Mustone and Julia Proto (Orange, Conn.) answered with two tallies to push the Cadets into double-digit territory.  The Lasers were able to rip one more into goal before the halftime break.

Defenses ramped up on both ends in the third stanza, with Valentina Drown (Acton, Maine) contributing the lone goal in the 15-minute span.  The 11-2 cushion proved pivotal for the Cadets, as the Lasers scored six-straight to close the contest as Norwich secured the 11-8 victory.

Mustone, Etherton, Drown, and O'Neill all finished with two goals apiece, while Clark, Proto, and Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.) got one into the net apiece.

The Cadets were a near-perfect 20-21 on clear attempts while scooping up 44 ground balls and winning 12 draw controls.

Maeve Noble-Lowe (Freedom, Maine) was steadfast between the pipes, turning away 14 shots.  In the process, the junior earned her 100th save of the season, currently standing at 106 ahead of the weekend.

Norwich will return home for a Saturday, Apr. 15 duel against Emmanuel College, with opening draw slated for 4:00 p.m. on Sabine Field.  The Cadets will look to avenge their loss to the Saints from last year's GNAC Quarterfinals.