FRANKLIN, Mass. - The Norwich University women's lacrosse kicked off the 2024 campaign with a resounding win, toppling Dean College, 15-9, in a cross-divisional Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) showdown on Grant Field on Saturday afternoon.

Seven Cadets registered goals, spearheaded by a stellar collegiate debut from Tori Jarvis (South Windsor, Conn.), who logged four goals to pace the visitors.  Classmate Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.) also posted an impressive first game, tallying three goals, four ground balls, four caused turnovers and five draw controls.  Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.), meanwhile, led all players in points with six, logging three goals and three helpers.  Quinn Mustone (Medford, Mass.) added two goals, while Ellie Moriarty (Stowe, Vt.), Julia Proto (Orange, Conn.), and Neris Archambault (Pepperell, Mass.) all contributed a goal each.

Norwich roared out of the gates, posting the first goal of the game courtesy of Merck less than a minute in.  Goals came in quick succession for the Cadets, as the visitors built a dominant 5-0 lead just six and a half minutes into the game, with Merck scoring two and assisting on another pair.

The Bulldogs tallied two in the first period to make up some ground, but the Cadets added three more in the frame, before tallying the first three goals in the second stanza to claim an 11-2 advantage.  The latter two goals came on two man-up opportunities, courtesy of Archambault and Fielder.

Dean saw more success in the second half, but the Cadets had an answer for every comeback attempt, as Fielder, Jarvis, and Proto provided goals in the third before Mustone added an insurance tally in the fourth to put the Bulldogs away.

Norwich thrived offensively, ripping 42 shots to just 23 for Dean.  The Cadets were a near-perfect 17-19 on clear attempts while scooping up 22 ground balls.

The visitors claimed 20 draw controls, with 10 different Cadets responsible for claiming possessions.  Fielder paced the effort with five, while Proto, Breanna Ricker (Laconia, N.H.), and Archambault all tallied multiple draw control wins.

Carlie Henning (Dawsonville, Ga.) earned the win in a full 60 minutes between the iron, turning away 11 attempts on goal.

The Cadets will look ahead to their home opener, scheduled for Monday afternoon against Emerson College on Mar. 11 at 3:00 p.m.  Norwich then hits the road for a Wednesday, Mar. 13 bout at Plattsburgh State.