HENNIKER, N.H. – The Norwich University men's soccer team earned a 3-1 road victory over New England College on Tuesday afternoon at Don Melander Field, using three second-half goals to secure the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) win in the final regular season match of the year.
The Cadets looked to establish control early, creating opportunities in the attacking third while working to break through the New England College defense. Norwich tested the opposing goalkeeper and earned corner kicks throughout the opening half, but neither team was able to find the back of the net in the first 45 minutes. The teams entered halftime locked in a scoreless tie.
Norwich found its breakthrough in the 69th minute when Daniel Hennessey (Dubai, U.A.E.) scored his fourth goal of the season to give the Cadets a 1-0 lead. Hennessey finished the opportunity after receiving an assist from Diego Fuentes (Valencia, Spain), putting Norwich in front with just over 20 minutes remaining in regulation.
The Cadets quickly built on their advantage, doubling their lead in the 72nd minute. Jacob Salisbury (Fayetteville, N.C.) found the back of the net for his first goal of the season, giving Norwich a 2-0 cushion and momentum as the second half progressed.
New England College responded in the 81st minute, converting a penalty kick to cut the Norwich lead to 2-1. With the margin narrowed to one goal, the Cadets looked to regain their two-goal advantage and protect their lead through the closing stages.
Norwich delivered a crucial response in the 86th minute when Nick DePeppe (Colorado Springs, Colo.) scored his fourth goal of the season to make it 3-1. The insurance goal restored the Cadets' two-goal cushion and helped seal the road victory as Norwich saw out the final minutes of regulation.
The Cadets finished the contest with 13 shots, including eight on target, while generating seven corner kicks. In goal, Victor Kalorin (Raleigh, N.C.) made two saves across 71 minutes of action before Patrick Thompson (Epping, N.H.) entered in relief for the final 19 minutes.
With the victory, Norwich improved to 9-5-3 overall and 6-4-2 in GNAC play, clinching the 7 seed in the GNAC tournament.
They will play in the Quarterfinals at Albertus Magnus Saturday at 1 p.m.
