NASHUA, N.H. - In the final weekend of the regular season, the Norwich University men's lacrosse team suffered its first North Divisional loss in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play, enduring a 17-4 misstep at Rivier University on Saturday afternoon.

A pair of Cadets paced the effort, as leading scorers Drew Fleury (Merrimack, N.H.) and Tyler Seidel (Centreville, Md.) each tallied two goals apiece.

The Raider defense was rampant all game, holding Norwich scoreless as the hosts rushed out to a 9-0 halftime lead that gradually ballooned to 14-0.  Seidel finally struck through the scoreless deadlock just 30 seconds into the fourth quarter.

Facing a 17-1 deficit halfway through the final frame, Fleury spurred a three-goal rally over the final six and a half minutes of action, but Rivier's lead proved too insurmountable as the Raiders secured the 17-4 win.

The Cadets finished 14-16 on clear attempts while scooping up 27 ground balls and claiming 12 face-offs.  Thomas Muraski (Keller, Texas), winner of all 12 face-offs, scooped up a team-high seven ground balls.

Duncan Youngclaus (Middleboro, Mass.) and Seidel tallied assists in the contest.

At 4-1 in divisional play, Norwich sits in a three-way tie with Rivier and Saint Joseph's College of Maine for the top spot in the GNAC's North Division, entering the regular season's final week.  The Cadets will close the regular season with one last divisional tilt, hosting Regis College on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. on Sabine Field.