NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Under a steady Halloween downpour and the national spotlight of National Collegiate Rugby's (NCR) Friday Night Rugby series, the Norwich University men's rugby team squared off with fourth-ranked University of Vermont in a highly anticipated North Atlantic Collegiate Rugby Conference (NACR) showdown on Sabine Field. Despite a resilient effort and two hard-earned tries, the 10th-ranked Cadets fell, 42-12, in the regular season finale.
The match marked a marquee moment for Norwich, with national broadcast coverage, Senior Day recognition for 11 graduating Cadets, and the program's 55th anniversary celebration all punctuating a rain-soaked, high-stakes evening.
Both sides battled through slick conditions in the opening minutes, with the Cadets holding firm defensively to keep the Catamounts off the board for nearly eight minutes. Vermont ultimately broke through behind Harry Missing's try, sparking a first-half run that saw the visitors build momentum through precision kicking and consistent ball control.
Norwich continued to dig in, holding the Catamounts at bay through through several extended possessions before Vermont added to its tally midway through the frame. The Cadets responded with resolve late in the half, finally breaking through in the closing minutes when senior captain
Doran Schwartz (Akron, Pa.) powered across the try line for a much-needed score.
Aedan Kerr (Hillside, N.J.) converted the kick to bring Norwich within striking distance at 28-7.
Vermont capitalized again in the final seconds of the half, extending its lead to 35-7 at the break.
The second half opened as a physical tug-of-war, with neither side able to find the scoreboard for the first 20 minutes. Norwich captured momentum first, as senior
Jake Peterson (Trumbull, Conn.) fought his way through contact to notch the Cadets' second try of the night. The score narrowed the margin to 35-12, but the Catamounts delivered the final blow with a late insurance try to close out the match.
Despite the result, the night served as a powerful tribute to the program's past, present, and future. In addition to the Senior Day ceremony, the match also supported The Veteran's Place of Northfield through a 50/50 raffle hosted by the Norwich B Side. Alumnus
Bill Walsh '77 delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem pregame, setting the tone for a spirited night of rugby.
Norwich will regroup for postseason play, as the Cadets and Catamounts are set for a high-stakes rematch in the NACR Championship on Sunday, Nov. 9, in Burlington, Vt., with a berth in the 2025 Collegiate Rugby Championships on the line.
Before then, the Norwich B Side will travel to take on Vermont's B Side in a Sunday matinee on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 12:00 p.m.
