NASHUA, N.H. – The Norwich University men's soccer team dropped a 4-1 decision to Rivier University Wednesday evening at Merrill Field in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup that served as a rematch of last season's conference semifinal.
The Cadets finished the night with 12 shots, putting eight attempts on target, while Rivier recorded 11 shots and seven shots on goal. Norwich also earned four corners compared to three for the Raiders, creating several opportunities throughout the match despite falling behind early.
Norwich goalkeeper Victor Kalorin (Raleigh, N.C.) played all 90 minutes in net and finished with three saves, including a strong second half in which he turned aside three Rivier attempts.
The Cadets created an early opportunity in the 19th minute when Brian Baek (Fairfax, Va.) put a header on frame, but the attempt was saved. Norwich continued to push forward after falling behind in the 22nd minute, earning a pair of corner kicks before Diego Fuentes (Valencia, Spain) forced another save in the 25th minute.
Fuentes continued to generate chances for the Cadets, while Baek added another shot on target in the 29th minute. Norwich also saw Shea Perkins (Carl Junction, Mo.) test the Rivier goalkeeper with a header in the 38th minute, but the attempt was turned away.
Rivier added a second goal late in the opening half, sending the Cadets into halftime trailing 2-0.
Norwich came out with increased urgency to open the second half, but Rivier extended its advantage just over two minutes into the period. The Cadets responded almost immediately.
In the 49th minute, Daniel Hennessey (Dubai, U.A.E.) put Norwich on the scoreboard, finishing off an assist from Fuentes to cut the deficit to 3-1. The goal marked Hennessey's first of the evening and gave the Cadets renewed momentum following the early second-half setback.
Norwich continued to pressure the Rivier defense following the goal. Perkins generated back-to-back shots less than a minute apart in the 60th minute, with both attempts forcing saves. The Cadets then earned another corner kick in the 64th minute after Ben Rubinstein (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) had a shot blocked.
The Cadets continued to create chances throughout the remainder of the match. John Clark (Marion, Mass.) put a shot on target in the 85th minute, forcing another save, while Fuentes and Miles Bergeson (Charlotte, Vt.) each added late attempts.
Rivier added its fourth goal in the 77th minute to restore its three-goal advantage, and Norwich was unable to close the gap despite continuing to push forward during the final minutes.
Hennessey and Fuentes finished with Norwich's two individual points on the evening, with Hennessey recording one goal and Fuentes contributing one assist. Perkins led the Cadets with three shots, all three of which were on target. Baek added two shots, both on frame, while Fuentes recorded two shots and one shot on goal.
The loss moves Norwich to 6-3-2 overall and 3-2-1 in GNAC play. The Cadets return to action Saturday when they continue GNAC play against Mitchell College.
