FRANKLIN, Mass. - The Norwich University women's lacrosse team claimed their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, securing a 15-10 win over Dean College at Grant Field.

Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.) and Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.) led the Cadets' offensive charge, each netting five goals.  Gianna Pesce (Williamstown, Mass.) added two tallies, while Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.), Ellie Moriarty (Stowe, Vt.), and Julia Proto (Orange, Conn.) chipped in with one goal apiece.  Moriarty orchestrated the offense with a game-high six assists, and Fielder contributed two assists of her own.

Although the Bulldogs struck first, Norwich quickly found its rhythm and responded in a big way.  Merck provided the initial equalizer, taking over late in the first quarter and finding the back of the net three times in just over two minutes to give the Cadets a lead they would never surrender.  That offensive burst set the tone for the rest of the contest, as Norwich built a 4-2 lead by the end of the opening frame.

Dean cut the deficit to one early in the second quarter, but Norwich answered with a commanding offensive surge.  Buntin added a pair of goals, while Merck continued to fuel the attack, stretching the Cadets' advantage to five.  Fielder and Pesce also contributed to the scoring onslaught, helping Norwich enter halftime with a comfortable 9-4 lead.

Coming out of the break, the Cadets continued to dictate the game, capitalizing on their momentum to extend their lead even further.  Buntin and Merck remained relentless while Proto joined the scoring effort.  By the fourth quarter, Norwich built a commanding 13-6 advantage.

Dean attempted to claw its way back, finding the net multiple times in the final frame, but Norwich remained composed, responding with key insurance goals to seal the victory.

Defensively, Norwich delivered a strong performance, disrupting Dean's offensive rhythm and forcing key turnovers.  Lindsey Parker (Wells, Maine) led the way with two caused turnovers, while the Cadets combined for eight total caused turnovers as a team.

Bailey Manning-Ingala (West Hartford, Conn.) stood tall in goal, recording seven saves in a full 60-minute performance to help secure the win.

Norwich was wildly efficient on the field, successfully converting 22 of 25 clear attempts.  The Cadets also thrived in the ground ball battle, scooping up 19 throughout the contest, as Fielder, Merck, Colby Magoon (Loudon, N.H.), and Quinn Mustone (Medford, Mass.) logged three apiece.

The Cadets will return home for a non-conference tilt, hosting Vermont State University Castleton on Thursday, Mar. 13, at 7:00 p.m.  Norwich then hits the road for another out-of-league clash at Russell Sage College on Saturday, Mar. 15.