NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's soccer team continued its strong run through Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play Saturday afternoon, cruising to a 4-0 shutout victory over Lasell University at Sabine Field.
The Cadets controlled the match from the opening whistle, generating consistent pressure in the attacking third while keeping Lasell off the scoreboard. Norwich finished the afternoon with a 19-5 advantage in shots and put eight attempts on target, while limiting the Lasers to just one shot on goal at the end of the match.
Norwich opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Alessandro D'Arena (Berlin, Conn.) found the back of the net poked through the goalkeepers legs at 7:44. D'Arena finished off a feed from Cristian Habiniak (North Branford, Conn.) right flank giving the Cadets an early 1-0 advantage and lots of momentum.
The Cadets continued to create opportunities throughout the remainder of the opening half, registering eight shots and three corners. Brian Baek (Fairfax, Va.) and Shea Perkins (Carl Junction, Mo.) each tested the Lasell back line, while Norwich's back line helped keep the Lasers from generating too much offensive momentum.
Norwich carried its one-goal advantage into halftime before quickly extending the lead in the opening minute of the second half. Diego Fuentes (Valencia, Spain) scored just 26 seconds into the second half off a knuckle ball free kick that left the Lasers goalkeeper stunned in place, pushing the Cadets ahead 2-0 in style.
The offensive pressure continued as Norwich repeatedly forced Lasell into its defensive half. Nate More (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) helped facilitate the attack from the pivot and later assisted on Norwich's third goal of the afternoon.
That goal came at 66 minutes in when Baek found the back of the net off a trivela ball from More, giving the Cadets a three-goal cushion with just over 23 minutes remaining.
Norwich added one more goal in the 78th minute when Perkins scored his second goal of the season at the 77 minute mark. The goal capped a four-goal offensive performance for the Cadets and provided the final margin.
Defensively, Victor Kalorin (Raleigh, N.C.) recorded one save while earning his fifth shutout of the season since stepping into the role.The Norwich defense held Lasell to only five total shots and allowed just one attempt on target throughout the 90 minutes.
The victory moves Norwich to 6-2-1 overall and 3-1 in GNAC play.
The Cadets will quickly return to action Monday, Oct. 5, when they travel to Dean College for a makeup GNAC contest. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
