STANDISH, Maine - The Norwich University women's lacrosse team saw its six-game winning streak come to an end on Friday afternoon, falling to perennial powerhouse and conference-unbeaten Saint Joseph's College of Maine, 18-7, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest at the SJC Athletic Complex.

Six different Cadets recorded goals in the effort, led by Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.), who was the lone Norwich player to score multiple times with two goals.  Tori Jarvis (South Windsor, Conn.) added a goal and an assist for two points, while Sophia Albright (East Dummerston, Vt.), Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.), Lauren Labbe (Brunswick, Maine), and Breanna Ricker (Laconia, N.H.) each contributed a goal.

"This one hurts," said Head Coach Ian Thomas.  "We didn't get off the bus and they made us pay early.  We dug ourselves too big of a hole in the first quarter, struggled to break down their defense, and we were unable to string together any runs."

Saint Joseph's wasted little time asserting control, opening the contest with six unanswered goals over the first eight minutes to seize a 6-0 advantage.  Jarvis halted the run with an unassisted tally midway through the quarter, but the Monks quickly responded with two more goals to close the frame and extend their lead to 8-1.

The hosts added another score early in the second quarter before Norwich began to settle in.  Merck converted on a free-position opportunity to generate momentum, and after Saint Joseph's responded with two more goals, Ricker found the back of the net to keep the deficit within eight.  The Monks added one more late in the half to maintain separation heading into the break.

Norwich opened the third quarter with renewed energy, as Buntin controlled the opening draw and capitalized a minute later to score.  Saint Joseph's answered with four consecutive goals to regain control of the tempo, before Albright converted a woman-up opportunity to halt the run and make it 16-5 heading into the final quarter.

Both teams traded a pair of goals in the fourth, with Labbe opening the scoring on a free-position shot.  After the Monks responded, the game settled into a lengthy stalemate before Jarvis set up Buntin for Norwich's final goal, trimming the margin to 10.  Saint Joseph's added a late insurance goal in the closing minute to seal the 18-7 result.

"SJC has a phenomenal program and they executed on both sides of the ball today," Thomas added.  "They dominated possession time, which makes it very difficult to claw back from an early deficit.  I am proud of our work ethic and hustle throughout the game, we just did not execute today."

Norwich was efficient in transition, finishing a perfect 15-for-15 on clears, while also securing 11 draw controls.

In goal, Bailey Ingala (West Hartford, Conn.) recorded 12 saves across a full 60 minutes of action, anchoring the Cadets defensively throughout the contest.

"We know that today was not our best product and are eager to get back on track next week," Thomas said.  "All of our goals are still in reach and our best lacrosse is ahead of us.  This is an exciting week coming up with three crucial home games, culminating by honoring our seniors on Saturday."

Norwich will return to Sabine Field for three consecutive home contests, beginning with a GNAC matchup against New England College on Tuesday, Apr. 14 at 7:00 p.m.  The Cadets will then resume a suspended contest against the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Thursday, Apr. 16, before hosting Dean College for Senior Day on Saturday, Apr. 18.