WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Norwich University men's lacrosse team opened Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play on Saturday afternoon, falling to the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), 15-7, at the USJ Lacrosse Field.

Five Cadets found the back of the net in the contest, led by Drew Fleury (Nashua, N.H.) and Jake Marcotte (Old Orchard Beach, Maine), who each scored two goals while adding two assists to finish with four points apiece.  Nicholas Wolfgang (New Port Richey, Fla.) tallied a goal and an assist for two points, while Robbie McAllister (Amherst, Mass.) and David Myers (Hainesport, N.J.) each added a goal.  Jackson Forbes (Merrimack, N.H.) rounded out the Norwich offense with an assist.

Saint Joseph set the tone early, striking twice within the opening four minutes to build a quick 2-0 advantage.  Norwich responded just over five minutes into the contest, as Wolfgang connected with Marcotte to put the Cadets on the board.

The Blue Jays continued to build momentum, however, rattling off four consecutive goals, including two to close the opening quarter and another pair to begin the second frame.

Marcotte halted the run midway through the period, drilling a pass from Forbes into the back of the net to trim the deficit.  Saint Joseph quickly regained control, pouring on three more goals to stretch the margin to 9-2 by halftime before scoring again early in the third quarter to push their lead beyond the 10-goal plateau.

Norwich responded with a brief surge midway through the third.  Wolfgang capitalized on a man-up opportunity, converting a pass from Marcotte nearly five minutes into the frame.  After the Blue Jays answered minutes later, the Cadets struck twice in quick succession.  Fleury first found McAllister for a tally before Fleury finished a pass from Marcotte, bringing Norwich within six at 11-5 with five minutes remaining in the quarter.

Saint Joseph regained command as the game entered the final period, scoring three consecutive goals to reestablish momentum midway through the fourth quarter.  Fleury and Myers added late tallies in a three-minute span, but a Blue Jay man-up goal in the closing minutes sealed the 15-7 result.

Defensively, Norwich forced 26 Saint Joseph turnovers, including nine caused turnovers.  Forbes led the effort with two caused turnovers.  The Cadets also found success in transition, clearing 20 of 24 attempts while limiting the Blue Jays to an 18-for-30 mark.

Ryan Magararu (Newtonville, Mass.) continued to pace Norwich at the face-off stripe, collecting eight victories in the circle.  Mason Dils (Watervliet, N.Y.) logged the full 60 minutes in goal, recording nine saves.

Norwich will now return to Sabine Field for a five-game homestand during the month of March, beginning with a matchup against Lasell University on Wednesday, Mar. 11, at 4:00 p.m.  The Cadets will then host Albertus Magnus College on Saturday, Mar. 14, with additional home contests against Trinity College, Saint Joseph's College of Maine, and Keene State College scheduled later in the month.