NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Despite a gutsy effort and a spirited comeback, the Norwich University men's lacrosse team suffered a heartbreaking 11-10 setback to the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Saturday afternoon at Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) cross-divisional action.

The Cadets honored their 10 graduating seniors during a special halftime Senior Day ceremony, recognizing the careers of Clayton Cisar (Aberdeen, Md.), Myles McKay (Lynnfield, Mass.), Cyrus Guillet (Glens Falls, N.Y.), Cole Funk (Chic, Calif.), Chris Smith (Dawsonville, Ga.), Luke Pineo (Cotuit, Mass.), Nathan Woinicki (New Windsor, N.Y.), Thomas Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.), Aidan Riley (Concord, N.H.), and David Castleman (Wilmington, N.C.).  Hopkins turned in a commendable Senior Day performance between the pipes, notching nine saves while playing the full 60 minutes.

Norwich outgunned the Bluejays at the faceoff X, 13-11, and converted 11-of-14 clear attempts, while forcing 16 caused turnovers in a stout defensive showing.  David Myers (Hainesport, N.J.) led the defensive charge with three caused turnovers, while Guillet and Riley chipped in two apiece.

After falling into an early 3-0 hole at the end of the first quarter, the Cadets came roaring back.  Christian Rainis (Wynantskill, N.Y.) sparked a furious 5-0 run with back-to-back goals, the second coming off a crisp feed from Jake Marcotte (Old Orchard Beach, Maine).  Case MacDonald (Burke, Va.) and Ryan McGorry (Hingham, Mass.) followed with unassisted strikes before Chris Smith (Dawsonville, Ga.) buried a man-up tally to complete the run.

Although the Bluejays stopped the spurt with a goal, Norwich answered again with three more scores, including Drew Fleury's (Nashua, N.H.) first of the day, followed by another from Fleury and a pinpoint goal from Marcotte off a James Raymond (Tracy's Landing, Md.) assist, to build an 8-4 advantage.

But momentum quickly shifted, as Saint Joseph rattled off six straight goals spanning the third and early fourth quarters to recapture a 10-8 lead.  Raymond halted the surge with an unassisted goal, but the Bluejays responded just minutes later to maintain the cushion.

David Gosselin (South Burlington, Vt.) pulled the Cadets within one with 78 seconds remaining, but despite several late possessions and quality looks, Norwich was unable to find the equalizer.

Fleury and Rainis led the attack with two goals apiece, while Gosselin, McGorry, MacDonald, Raymond, Smith, and Marcotte all added single tallies.  Marcotte and Raymond dished out two assists each, with MacDonald also chipping in a helper.  Marcotte and Jackson Forbes (Merrimack, N.H.) were active on the ground, with Forbes scooping up a team-best eight ground balls while winning 12 faceoffs.

The Cadets return to Sabine Field on Wednesday, Apr. 23, for their season finale against Rivier University, with opening faceoff slated for 4:00 p.m.