NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Despite holding on to a two-goal lead in the first half, the Norwich University men's lacrosse team could not sustain a pair of three-goal rallies, falling to the United States Coast Guard Academy, 6-3, in a non-conference clash on Sabine Field on Saturday afternoon.

Three different Cadets were responsible for their three tallies, as Drew Fleury (Nashua, N.H.), Alex Johnston (Franklin, Tenn.), and Coley Bagwell (York, Pa.) all found shots thread Matt Reheuser's defense between the pipes.  Christian Masonius (Belmar, N.J.) and Tyler Seidel (Centreville, Md.) dished out helpers on two goals.

Despite 23 combined shots in the first quarter, neither team could find the back of the net, as Reheuser and Thomas Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) stood firm on each end of the field.  The Cadets finally struck through just seconds into the second quarter, as Fleury, on the run, navigated past a Coast Guard defender and ripped one past Reheuser's shoulder.

Masonius set up Bagwell for the Cadets' second just two minutes later, but the Bears ceased all Norwich momentum in the ensuing three minutes, sniping three into the net, with two coming from Patrick Smith.

Johnston netted the contest up at 3-all late in the third period, but again, Coast Guard promptly answered, equalizing the game up less than a minute in to send Coast Guard into the fourth period, leading 4-3.

Smith completed a hat trick just a few minutes into the final frame, as the Bears tallied one more insurance goal while keeping the defensive pressure rampant to snag the victory over Norwich.

The Cadets went 22-28 on clear attempts while securing 24 ground balls.  Hopkins, meanwhile, logged 24 saves in goal, to 11 for Reheuser.

Norwich will hit the road for their annual midweek spring break trek to Massachusetts Maritime Academy, with opening face-off set for 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 6 in Buzzards Bay, Mass.  The Cadets then return home to close out spring break, hosting the first of three-straight home games, taking on the University of Southern Maine on Saturday, Mar. 9.