CHICOPEE, Mass.- The Norwich Women's Soccer team opened Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) competition Saturday afternoon when they visited Elms, where the Blazers rode a late penalty kick to victory.
 
The Cadets controlled the early action with several shot attempts for Kat Probst (Gouverneur, N.Y.) and Lily Briggs (Fair Haven, Vt.), with Briggs's being turned away by Elms goalkeeper Sofia Rivers. Soon after, in the 12^th minute, the Blazers drew first blood. After a corner, Jamie McDonough placed a ball just under the crossbar to give Elms the lead.
 
Back-and-forth play ensued with both Rivers and Michaela Dubey (Belchertown, Mass.) making saves. In the 35^th minute, Norwich responded with Beatrice Lake (Brookfield, Vt.) finding Probst, who found the back of the net, sending the game to halftime knotted at one.

Out of the break, Norwich had several chances to break the time, but could not convert on their chances. Both sides continued to trade chances throughout the period, with the keepers trading saves. In the 78^th minute, the Blazers broke the deadlock on a penalty kick by Daniella Niemiec.

Probst had a last-ditch effort to even the score, but was turned aside by Rivers, preserving the Blazer victory. Probst led the way offensively with the lone goal, five shot attempts, and three shots on target. Colby Magoon (Loudon, N.H.) followed close behind with four shot attempts, with two on target, while Dubey made six saves.

The Cadets' early-season road swing continues Tuesday night when they travel to Plymouth State for a 5 p.m. kickoff.