NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University women's lacrosse team delivered a commanding performance on Friday afternoon, overpowering Albertus Magnus in a 21-1 rout in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action at Sabine Field.  The victory extends the Cadets' all-time record against the Falcons to 10-0, dating back to their first meeting in 2014.

Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.) led the Norwich offensive explosion with five goals, while Ellie Moriarty (Stowe, Vt.) found the back of the net four times and added three assists to finish with a game-high seven points.  Sophie Zemianek (St. Albans, Vt.) recorded a hat trick, while Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.), Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.), and Caitlin Slider (Thetford Center, Vt.) each netted two goals.

Lindsey Parker (Wells, Maine), Neris Archambault (Pepperell, Mass.), and Julia Proto (Orange, Conn.) chipped in one goal apiece.  Merck matched Moriarty with three assists, while Buntin, Proto, and Slider each recorded helpers.

The Cadets wasted no time taking control of the game, as Buntin struck first less than four minutes in off a feed from Moriarty.  Norwich's offense continued to attack, with Merck and Moriarty each scoring unassisted goals before Merck tallied her second of the night.  Fielder capped off the opening quarter with a goal in the final seconds to put the Cadets ahead, 5-0.

Albertus Magnus found a brief glimmer of hope early in the second quarter when Alexys Signor netted the Falcons' lone goal of the contest just seconds into the frame.  However, Norwich quickly shut down any chance of a comeback, responding with 16 unanswered goals the rest of the way.

Moriarty sparked the offensive surge, scoring twice in quick succession before Zemianek fired home back-to-back goals of her own.  The Cadets' relentless defense forced turnover after turnover, and their transition play capitalized on Albertus Magnus' struggles to clear the ball.  Slider and Fielder added to the tally before halftime, sending Norwich into the break with a commanding 12-1 advantage.

The second half continued much like the first, with Norwich controlling possession and dictating the tempo.  Fielder opened the scoring in the third quarter with her fourth goal of the night, followed by Moriarty's fourth off a pass from Buntin.  Moriarty exchanged the favor, finding Buntin for a tally a minute later, and the Cadets added another from Proto, assisted by Merck, before Fielder tacked on one more just before the buzzer sounded to close the third quarter at 17-1.

Norwich added four more goals in the final frame, as Slider, Archambault, Zemianek, and Parker each found the back of the net to put the finishing touches on a dominant 21-1 victory.

The Cadets' defense was just as impressive as their offensive output, forcing 21 turnovers while holding Albertus Magnus to just seven shots all game.  Parker led the team with four caused turnovers, while Fielder, Celine Juneau (Chazy, N.Y.), and Breanna Ricker (Laconia, N.H.) each recorded three.  Fielder and Parker also collected four ground balls apiece.

In the draw control battle, Fielder once again led the way with six, while Archambault and Quinn Mustone (Medford, Mass.) each secured three.  Norwich dominated possession, winning 14 draw controls and converting 14-of-16 clear attempts, while limiting Albertus Magnus to just 4-of-20 on clears.

Goalkeeper Carlie Henning (Dawsonville, Ga.) played all 60 minutes between the pipes, making two saves while the Norwich defense smothered the Falcons' attack.

With the win, Norwich remains undefeated in GNAC play at 3-0 and moves to 8-1 overall.  The Cadets now turn their attention to a road match-up against New England College on Wednesday, Apr. 2, at 4:00 p.m., before returning to Sabine Field to host Elms College on Saturday, Apr. 5, at 1:00 p.m.