NORTHFIELD, Vt. - A last-second shot by Lasell University doomed the Norwich University men's lacrosse team, who fell, 16-15, to the Lasers in the Cadets' dramatic 2025 season-opener on Sabine Field on Sunday afternoon.

Drew Fleury (Nashua, N.H.) and Christian Rainis (Wynantskill, N.Y.) were the architects of Norwich's success, as Fleury drilled in five goals and handed out an assist to finish with six points, two ground balls, and a caused turnover.  Rainis, meanwhile, exploded in the fourth quarter, finishing with five points on three goals and two helpers, while also earning six ground balls and four caused turnovers.

Chris Smith (Dawsonville, Ga.), Jake Marcotte (Old Orchard Beach, Maine), James Raymond (Tracy's Landing, Md.), and Alex Johnston (Franklin, Tenn.) all tallied multiple points on the day, while David Myers (Hainesport, N.J.) and Christian Masonius (Belmar, N.J.) also logged points in the loss.

The Lasers seized momentum immediately out of the gates, rattling off two consecutive goals in less than four minutes to claim a 2-0 lead.  Johnston prompted the swift Norwich response, drilling in a goal before Fleury recorded a pair of scores to give the Cadets their first advantage.

Lasell reasserted themselves, reclaiming the edge by outscoring Norwich, 6-2, to take an 8-5 advantage late in the second quarter.  Goals by Raymond and Smith generated some life for the Cadets before halftime, and, despite the Lasers putting another on the board after the break, Norwich proceeded to take control on three-straight tallies to take a 10-9 lead.

Another stretch of goals by the Lasers to close the third quarter sent the visitors into the final 15 minutes with a 12-10 advantage, but back-to-back goals by Rainis knotted the affair at 12-all.  Both squads exchanged goals, including through a string of man-up opportunities, before the Cadets appeared primed to seize victory behind Smith and Rainis scores to capture a 15-14 lead.

It was not to be, however, as Jack Condon created a 15-15 deadlock before Will McCarthy stole victory for the Lasers on a goal with 0.2 remaining on the clock, securing the 16-15 win.

Norwich outpaced Lasell in a few categories, earning 39 ground balls while the Cadet defense generated 20 Laser miscues.  The Cadets finished 16-21 on clears, including perfect 4-4 and 3-3 marks during the first and third quarters.

Mason Dils (Watervliet, N.Y.) put together an impressive showing between the pipes in a full 60 minutes of play, making 14 saves.

The non-conference duel between the two Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) rivals served as a rematch of last season's GNAC Quarterfinals, when the Lasers topped Norwich, 15-6, on Sabine Field on Apr. 27, 2024.

The Cadets will return to Sabine Field on Wednesday, Feb. 26, battling Plattsburgh State University in a 5:00 p.m. showdown.  Norwich then hits the road for two-straight tilts, first heading to the United States Coast Guard Academy on Saturday, Mar. 1, before traveling to Plymouth State University on Tuesday, Mar. 4.