BRIGHTON, Mass. - Standout offensive performances and a historic coaching milestone highlighted the Norwich University women's lacrosse team's second straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory, as the Cadets held off a late surge to defeat Simmons University, 14-9, at Daly Field on Wednesday evening.

Six Cadets found the back of the net in the win, led by dominant all-around efforts from Caitlin Slider (Thetford Center, Vt.) and Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.), who each erupted for seven points on four goals and three assists.  Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.) added three points on two goals and an assist, while Sophia Albright (East Dummerston, Vt.) contributed a pair of tallies.

Tori Jarvis (South Windsor, Conn.) and Sienna Caron (Griswold, Conn.) each chipped in a goal, and Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.) orchestrated the attack with a career-high five assists.

With the victory, fifth-year Head Coach Ian Thomas secured his 50th career win, all coming at the helm of the Cadets.  The reigning GNAC Coach of the Year becomes just the second coach in program history to reach the milestone, joining three-time conference champion Beth Van Parys.

"Tonight was a gritty, gritty team win," Thomas said.  "We were down a few players and we had girls step up in big ways all over the field.  I am tremendously proud of our resilience and composure."

Norwich seized control early, as Slider converted a Fielder pass just 90 seconds into the contest to spark a game-opening 4-0 run.  Fielder added her first goal three minutes later off Merck's initial assist, before Slider set up Albright moments afterward to extend the Cadet advantage.  Buntin capped the first-quarter surge eight minutes later, finishing another Slider feed to put Norwich firmly in command.

Simmons halted the run to begin the second frame, but the Cadets quickly steadied themselves.  Fielder recorded back-to-back assists, first on a woman-up strike by Albright, then on a Slider finish, to stretch the lead to 6-1.  The teams traded goals down the stretch, with Fielder converting again off a Merck helper to give Norwich a 7-2 cushion at halftime.

"Our offense was on, and extremely efficient tonight," Thomas added.  "But Simmons gave us trouble in transition and crushed us on draws in the fourth.  They are well coached and a tough team with some strong playmakers."

After the Sharks opened the second half scoring, Norwich responded with authority, holding Simmons off the board for nearly 10 minutes while stringing together three unanswered goals.  Buntin ignited the push with a finish off a Slider assist, and Slider followed by capitalizing on a woman-down opportunity after a Merck pass.  Caron closed the run with an unassisted tally before Simmons found the net in the final minute of the quarter.

The Cadets extended their lead to its largest margin early in the fourth period, scoring twice in the opening 54 seconds.  Fielder struck again during a woman-down situation off another Merck assist, and Slider soon set up Buntin to give Norwich a 12-4 advantage.

Simmons mounted a late push, scoring five times during a seven-minute span, with only a free-position goal by Fielder midway through the quarter interrupting the rally.  Norwich's defense ultimately clamped down over the final five minutes to secure the victory, while Jarvis added the Cadets' final tally on a woman-up chance off Merck's fifth assist of the night.

In goal, Bailey Ingala (West Hartford, Conn.) delivered a standout performance to earn her fourth win of the season, recording a career-high 18 saves while playing all 60 minutes and collecting a ground ball.  The effort also marked Ingala's 200th career save.

"Bailey had another career day in goal, and she recorded her 200th career save," Thomas said.  "Without her playing lights out, we don't win this game."

Norwich held a narrow 17-15 edge in ground balls, with Fielder and Caron each scooping up three.  Fielder and Buntin also paced the Cadets inside the draw circle with three controls apiece.  Defensively, Norwich generated eight caused turnovers, highlighted by three from Kaitlyn Eisentraut (Middletown, N.Y.), while Colby Magoon (Loudon, N.H.) added two.

"Again, this game showed us when we are disciplined, and commit to our systems we can control the game and dictate the pace of play," Thomas said.

The victory marked Norwich's third straight win over Simmons, dating back to the 2024 GNAC Play-in Game at Daly Field, when the Cadets secured their first postseason triumph since the 2014 season.

Norwich will return to Sabine Field for a pair of GNAC contests to close the month of March, first hosting Regis College on Saturday, Mar. 28, at 1:00 p.m.  The Cadets will then entertain Rivier University under the lights at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 31.