NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's lacrosse team dominated from start to finish on Thursday night, securing a decisive 15-4 win over Vermont State University Castleton in non-conference action at Sabine Field.

Quinn Mustone (Medford, Mass.) and Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.) led the offensive charge, each scoring four goals.  Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.) added a hat trick, while Ellie Moriarty (Stowe, Vt.) and Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.) tallied two goals apiece.

Moriarty was the catalyst for the attack, dishing out a game-high four assists to go along with her two goals.  With her first assist of the night, she became the program's all-time leader in career assists, surpassing Allison Daniels' previous record of 72, set from 2007 through 2009.  Moriarty now sits at 76 career assists.

The Cadets wasted no time taking control, racing out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter.  Mustone opened the scoring less than 30 seconds into the game, and Buntin quickly followed with a goal off a feed from Moriarty.

Merck struck unassisted moments later before Fielder found the net on an extra-player opportunity to push the lead to 4-0.  Norwich continued its relentless attack, with Merck, Buntin, and Fielder adding to the scoring spree.  Fielder's third goal of the quarter, set up by Merck, capped off the commanding start.

Castleton finally broke through with a goal in the closing seconds of the first quarter, but Norwich remained in firm control with an 8-1 advantage.

The Spartans added another tally early in the second quarter, briefly cutting the deficit to six.  However, the Cadets quickly responded, as Moriarty fired home an unassisted goal before Mustone earned her second of the night, restoring Norwich's dominant lead.

The Cadets' defense suffocated Castleton's attack throughout the game, forcing turnovers and limiting the Spartans' offensive rhythm.  Lindsey Parker (Wells, Maine) anchored the effort with a game-high seven caused turnovers while scooping up six ground balls.

Norwich continued to control possession, with Fielder dominating the draw circle with 10 draw controls.  The Cadets' strong transition play allowed them to maintain offensive pressure, successfully converting 18 clears while collecting 22 ground balls.

In the third quarter, Mustone struck again on a player-up opportunity off another assist from Moriarty.  Fielder then tacked on her fourth goal of the night, pushing the lead to double digits.

Merck opened up the fourth quarter by finishing a feed from Colby Magoon (Loudon, N.H.), extending Norwich's lead to 13-2.  Castleton answered with back-to-back goals, but any hopes of a late rally were quickly shut down.  Moriarty and Mustone each found the back of the net one final time, sealing the dominant 15-4 victory.

Bailey Manning-Ingala (West Hartford, Conn.) was stellar in goal, turning aside 11 shots while allowing just four goals in a full 60-minute performance.  She also secured eight ground balls, playing a pivotal role in Norwich's defensive effort.

With their non-conference schedule nearing its end, the Cadets will now turn their focus to their upcoming road game at Russell Sage College on Saturday, Mar. 15, at 2:00 p.m.  Norwich will then return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play, traveling to Regis College on Mar. 18 before hosting Simmons University on Mar. 26 and Albertus Magnus College on Mar. 29.