NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's lacrosse team exploded to an early dominant lead and never looked back, roaring past the University of Southern Maine, 18-9, in a non-conference tilt on Sabine Field on Saturday afternoon.

Drew Fleury (Nashua, N.H.) was electrifying yet again, ripping in six goals while divvying out two helpers to finish with a game-high eight points.  Jackson Forbes (Merrimack, N.H.) and Jack Haley (Falkville, Ala.) rounded out the Cadets with multiple goals, each tallying two apiece.  Eight other Norwich players found themselves contributing goals, with Tyler Seidel (Centreville, Md.), Mason McMahon (Norwich, Conn.), Christian Rainis (Wynantskill, N.Y.), Matt Meehan (Norfolk, Mass.), Christian Masonius (Belmar, N.J.), Chris Smith (Dawsonville, Ga.), Alex Johnston (Franklin, Tenn.), and Mitchell McKay (Lynnfield, Mass.) all logging scores.

Norwich wasted no time getting things rolling as Fleury flew around the back of the net on the opening possession to whip one into goal.  Forbes followed up under a minute later, as Rainis caught Forbes in stride towards the net, with the latter swiping one in past Addison Dietz.

The Huskies put their first on the board late in the first period, but their answer was in vain, as the Cadets rallied for six straight to take control of the game.  Fleury proved responsible for half of those goals, setting up an ensuing exchange throughout the second and third periods where the two teams exchanged goals.

While Southern Maine capitalized on a pair of man-down opportunities to whittle the Cadet lead down to 13-6, another quick succession of back-to-back goals from Norwich, spearheaded by Seidel finding McMahon for the Cadets' 14th goal, nullified the Huskies' momentum.  Seidel added his own tally less than a minute later to extend the lead.

The Cadets added three more insurance goals in the fourth period, all from different players, to seal the deal and clinch victory over Southern Maine.

Norwich enjoyed many offensive opportunities and capitalized on multiple successes offensively, logging 52 shots and scooping up 54 ground balls over the Huskies.

The Cadets finished 20-24 on clear attempts while winning 22 face-offs, as Thomas Muraski (Keller, Texas) went 22-28 with 16 ground balls.

Luke Boland (Tolland, Conn.) earned the win between the pipes, logging seven saves while allowing just four goals in 30 minutes of action.  Thomas Kelliher (Shrewsbury, Mass.) was also impressive in goal, turning away 10 shots in the second half.

Norwich will return to the field in a week, hosting Anna Maria College in a North Divisional bout in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday, Mar. 16, at 1:00 p.m.  The Cadets then host Dean College on Mar. 20 in another GNAC clash.