FRANKLIN, Mass. – The Norwich University women's soccer team responded to a 0-0 draw early this week with a commanding 6-1 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over Dean College on Friday afternoon at Grant Field.
The Cadets struck early and often, scoring three goals in the first half before adding three more after the break to secure the conference win. Norwich finished with 19 shots, including 11 on goal, while limiting the Bulldogs to eight shots and five shots on target.
Emma Zielezienski (Springfield, Va.) opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finding the back of the net for her first goal of the season to give Norwich a 1-0 lead.
Sophie Guarriello (Barre, Vt.) doubled the advantage in the 25th minute, finishing off an assist from Addison Morey (Williamsburg, Mass.) to record her team-leading seventh goal of the season. Guarriello then helped set up Norwich's third goal, assisting Heidi Smith (Sammamish, Wash.) in the 38th minute as the Cadets carried a 3-0 lead late into the opening half.
Dean College answered with a goal in the 44th minute, trimming the deficit to 3-1 before halftime.
Norwich responded early in the second half to the late first half goal when Emma Korrow (Northfield, Vt.) scored in the 55th minute off an assist from Smith, restoring the Cadets' three-goal cushion. Smith added another assist in the 65th minute, setting up Colby Magoon (Loudon, N.H.) for her fourth goal of the season to push the lead to 5-1.
The Cadets continued to apply pressure throughout the second half, and Zoey Lazzaro (Peterborough, N.H.) capped the scoring with a goal in the 89th minute to seal the 6-1 victory.
Smith finished with a goal and two assists, while Guarriello contributed a goal and an assist. Smith and Magoon each recorded multiple shots on target as Norwich generated consistent offensive pressure.
In goal, Sophie Olivo (Sanford, Maine) made four saves across 90 minutes to help Norwich secure the conference victory.
The win moves Norwich to 8-4-2 overall and 4-4-2 in GNAC play. The Cadets will be back in action on Tuesday against Emmanuel College (Mass.) at home at 7 p.m.
