NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's lacrosse team suffered an 8-6 setback to the University of Saint Joseph on Sabine Field in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday afternoon.

Alex Johnston (Franklin, Tenn.) again paced the Cadet offense, ripping in a hat trick to conclude what has been a stellar week for the freshman.  Mitchell McKay (Lynnfield, Mass.) tallied four points behind two goals and two assists, while Matt Meehan (Norfolk, Mass.) rounded out the scoring with a score.

The Blue Jays controlled the back-and-forth affair early after both team's defenses stood stoutly for the opening minutes, as Evan Baden logged the first of five goals just past the eight-minute mark.  Johnston answered with his first three and a half minutes later, but Baden would grant USJ the edge heading into the second quarter with 14 seconds later.

McKay saw a pair of goals book-end another Baden score in the second frame, but the 3-3 halftime deadlock was swiftly snapped by a 3-0 spurt from the Blue Jays out of the third quarter gates.  The Cadets would promptly answer with two from Johnston, but a man-up goal and a pivotal man-down score from USJ in the opening moments of the fourth quarter would set the Blue Jays apart, as penalties plagued Norwich in the second half of the final stanza.

Norwich out-shot USJ, 32-30, while scooping up 40 ground balls.  Luke Boland (Tolland, Conn.) logged 12 saves in goal.

The Cadets will close out the regular season on Tuesday at Dean College, with opening face off scheduled for 3:30 p.m.  The GNAC Quarterfinals are then planned to get underway on Saturday.