NORTHFIELD, Vt. - In their first game on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium in 16 days, the Norwich University women's lacrosse team extended its conference momentum with a 14-5 victory over Regis College on Saturday afternoon, securing its third consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) win.
Eight different Cadets accounted for goals in a balanced offensive effort, led by hat tricks from
Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.) and
Sophia Albright (East Dummerston, Vt.), with Fielder also adding two assists for a five-point outing.
Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.) contributed four points on two goals and two assists, while
Tori Jarvis (South Windsor, Conn.) added a pair of tallies.
Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.) and
Sienna Caron (Griswold, Conn.) each recorded a goal and an assist, while
Colby Magoon (Loudon, N.H.) and
Caitlin Slider (Thetford Center, Vt.) rounded out the scoring with one goal apiece.
"We started slow today, but really turned it on in the second and third quarters," said Head Coach
Ian Thomas. "We are beginning to grasp our systems and learn how to maximize our offense and utilize our pressure at the right times."
Regis opened the scoring midway through the first quarter, breaking an early stalemate before Merck answered exactly five minutes later to even the score at 1-1. Jarvis then gave Norwich its first lead in the closing minutes of the frame.
The Pride pulled even again early in the second quarter, but Norwich responded decisively. Merck connected with Fielder to break the tie before Slider finished a Buntin feed less than a minute later to push the Cadets in front for good. After Regis converted on a woman-up opportunity, Norwich surged again, as Albright scored twice, including one off a Fielder assist, to stretch the lead to 6-3. The Pride added a late goal before halftime, but the Cadets carried a 6-4 advantage into the break.
Norwich seized full control in the third quarter, erupting for five unanswered goals while holding Regis scoreless. Albright ignited the run less than a minute into the half, and Jarvis followed with a woman-up finish off a Fielder feed. Fielder added to the surge with a goal off a Merck assist in the final seconds, while Magoon buried an unassisted tally midway through the period. Merck capped the frame with her second goal of the afternoon, finishing a Caron assist to make it 11-4.
"This was the most complete defensive game we have played all season," Thomas added. "As we become more experienced, we are understanding when and how to pressure, and today our defense played as one cohesive, solid unit."
Caron extended the run to six straight goals early in the fourth quarter before Regis halted the streak just over two minutes later. Norwich answered with two insurance tallies in the final 11 minutes, as Buntin converted an unassisted effort before Fielder completed her hat trick to seal the 14-5 result.
In goal,
Bailey Ingala (West Hartford, Conn.) earned her fifth win of the season, making three saves across a full 60 minutes of action.
Norwich controlled the game statistically, holding a 23-13 advantage in ground balls. Fielder led all players with five, while Buntin, Slider,
Izzy Sirois (Hartland, Vt.), and
Eden St. Pierre (Slatersville, R.I.) each collected three. The Cadets also won 12 draw controls, paced by
Lauren Labbe (Brunswick, Maine) with five, while Fielder and Magoon added two apiece.
Defensively, Norwich forced 16 caused turnovers, anchored by Fielder's game-high six. The Cadets also finished 15-of-19 on clear attempts while limiting Regis to an 11-of-25 mark.
"As a young team, we are learning every game and mastering the nuances to become a great team," Thomas said. "When we trust and execute our systems, the sky is the limit. We are excited to keep improving and gaining confidence in the coming weeks."
Norwich will continue its two-game homestand on Tuesday, Mar. 31, hosting Rivier University under the lights at 7:00 p.m. on Sabine Field. The Cadets will then travel on Saturday, Apr. 4, for an afternoon contest at Albertus Magnus College.
