NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's lacrosse team kicked off the 2025 season with their first-ever win over Maine Maritime Academy, topping the Mariners, 12-8, on Sabine Field in a non-conference clash on Sunday afternoon.
Ellie Moriarty (Stowe, Vt.) and
Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.) spearheaded the effort, with Moriarty leading all players with seven points, rattling off three goals on three shots while also dishing out four assists. Buntin, meanwhile, impressed in her collegiate debut, tallying three goals and three helpers for six points.
Gianna Pesce (Williamstown, Mass.),
Quinn Mustone (Medford, Mass.), and
Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.) also racked up multiple points, while
Julia Gutke (Stockholm, Sweden),
Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.), and
Caitlin Slider (Thetford Center, Vt.) also tallied points.
After a stalemate that lasted just over eight minutes, Moriarty connected with Buntin to open up Norwich's offensive output, as the freshman struck first at the 6:45 mark. Her goal ignited a 5-0 stretch over the ensuing five minutes, as Moriarty ripped in three consecutive goals in less than a minute-and-a-half before Slider capped off the scoring on a Moriarty feed.
Although the Mariners put one on the board before the end of the first frame, Norwich responded with another spurt, this time scoring four straight off goals from Mustone, Gutke, and Pesce, capturing a dominant 9-1 advantage halfway through the second stanza.
Maine Maritime captured momentum, outscoring Norwich, 7-3, after Mustone's second tally at the 9:26 minute of the second, but the Cadets' lead proved too insurmountable for the visitors. Two tallies from Buntin off Moriarty assists, capped off by Buntin finding Pesce in the fourth, sealed the deal for Norwich's four-goal victory.
The Cadet defense was rampant, generating 31 Mariner turnovers while also securing 23 ground balls. Norwich was successful on clear attempts, going 20-25 on the day, including a perfect 7-7 during the third quarter. The Mariners, meanwhile, were just 11-19 on clears, while being held to 13 ground balls.
Bailey Manning-Ingala (West Hartford, Conn.) claimed her first victory of the season between the pipes, logging four saves in a full 60 minutes of action.
Hazel Stoddard led the Mariners offensively, registering four goals and one assist for five points.
The win marks the first for Norwich over Maine Maritime ever, after the Mariners topped the Cadets, 13-12, on Apr. 5, 2017, on Sabine Field.
The Cadets will have a quick turnaround, hosting Plattsburgh State University on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 3:00 p.m. in a make-up game originally scheduled for last week. Norwich then hits the road for a pair, traveling to Keene State College on Thursday, Feb. 27, before beginning Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action at Dean College on Saturday, Mar. 8.
