NORTHFIELD, Vt. - In a high-stakes showdown between two of the top teams in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC), the Norwich University women's lacrosse team delivered its most significant result of the season on Tuesday evening, edging Colby-Sawyer College, 11-10, in a dramatic battle under the lights at Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium.

Eight different Cadets found the back of the net in a balanced offensive effort, led by Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.), who recorded a hat trick with an assist to pace all players.  Lauren Labbe (Brunswick, Maine) added two goals and a helper, while Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.) contributed a goal and two assists for three points.

Caitlin Slider (Thetford Center, Vt.) posted a goal and an assist, and Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.), Sophia Albright (East Dummerston, Vt.), Colby Magoon (Loudon, N.H.), and Breanna Ricker (Laconia, N.H.) each added a goal, with Ricker delivering the decisive game-winner in the final minutes.

"This was a full team win - I am so proud of the way we played tonight," said Head Coach Ian Thomas. "Colby-Sawyer is a great team, and Emily (Dewdney) always has them prepared.  This was another back-and-forth battle that could have gone either way.  We made enough plays in the fourth quarter to come out on top."

Norwich established an early rhythm, striking just 98 seconds into the contest as Merck finished a Labbe feed to open the scoring.  Colby-Sawyer answered with consecutive free-position goals to take its first lead, but Slider responded to level the score at 2-2 just under five minutes in.  Another free-position tally by the Chargers restored their edge before Magoon converted from the eight-meter mark to knot the game at 3-3 heading into the second quarter.

The defensive intensity ramped up in the second frame, with both teams struggling to create separation through the opening eight minutes.  Colby-Sawyer broke through on another free-position opportunity, but Norwich seized momentum late in the half.  Albright capitalized on a Fielder assist before Labbe added a go-ahead strike with under a minute remaining.  The Cadets appeared poised to carry the lead into halftime, but a Charger free-position goal with three seconds left sent the teams into the break tied at 5-5.

A similar pattern unfolded in the third quarter, as Buntin's draw control led to Merck's second goal off a Slider assist to briefly give Norwich the edge.  Colby-Sawyer responded with back-to-back woman-up goals in a 62-second span to regain the lead, but Norwich answered once again.  A turnover at the end of the penalty sequence set up Merck's third tally to even the score at 7-7 with eight minutes remaining, before Buntin converted a Fielder pass in the closing seconds of the quarter to push the Cadets ahead.

Norwich earned its first multi-goal advantage just seconds into the fourth, as Labbe finished a woman-up opportunity to make it 9-7.  The Chargers refused to fold, answering with two quick free-position goals to erase the deficit and tie the game once more.

Merck and Fielder connected again to restore a Norwich lead, but Colby-Sawyer found the equalizer with four minutes to play, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

With under three minutes remaining, the Chargers nearly took the lead, but a shot from point-blank range struck the post.  The rebound fell to Ricker, who helped initiate the final sequence . After a reset in the offensive zone, Ricker evaded two defenders and fired home the go-ahead goal with two minutes left.

"Bree (Breanna Ricker) had to make the play with the caused turnover and game-winning goal in the same sequence," Thomas said.  "Her work ethic is unmatched, being able to step onto the field without missing a beat just a week after hockey season ends."

Norwich's defense stood tall in the closing moments, forcing a late miss and regaining possession to run out the clock and secure the 11-10 victory.

"Our whole defense played phenomenal all night," Thomas added.  "They have a very dynamic offense, and we communicated exceptionally well to snuff out their looks.  Bailey made huge saves in the fourth quarter.  Kiki (Abigail Kirrane) and Traut (Kaitlyn Eisentraut) are both incredible defenders and had monster games, locking down their one-on-one matchups."

Bailey Ingala (West Hartford, Conn.) earned her seventh win of the season in goal, making five key saves across 60 minutes while also recording a caused turnover.

Norwich's defensive unit was relentless, generating 17 caused turnovers. Fielder and Buntin led the charge with five each, while Izzy Sirois (Hartland, Vt.) and Labbe added three and two, respectively.

The Cadets held narrow but crucial advantages in draw controls (12-10) and ground balls (24-22).  Buntin paced the draw circle with six wins, while Fielder added four and also matched the game-high with five ground balls.  Buntin and Sirois each collected four ground balls to support the effort.

Norwich also posted a 13-16 mark on clears while limiting Colby-Sawyer to 14-21.  Offensively, Norwich remained composed against pressure throughout the contest.

"Offensively we handled their pressure and were able to make them pay for over-extending," Thomas said.  "Athena and Fielder led the way in staying composed and finding the gaps through the pressure."

The win marks the third consecutive meeting between the Cadets and Chargers decided by a single goal.  In 2024, Colby-Sawyer edged Norwich 14-13 on Sabine Field, before the Cadets responded in 2025 with a 10-9 comeback victory in New London, also capped by a late Ricker goal.

Norwich's winning streak now stands at six, as the Cadets improve to 10-1 overall and 7-1 in GNAC play, including a perfect 4-0 record at home.

"We have another major test coming up on Friday where we will see similar pressure from Saint Joseph's College of Maine," Thomas said.  "We are excited to keep getting better and continue to hit our stride in the heart of our schedule."

The Cadets will travel to Saint Joseph's College of Maine on Friday, Apr. 10, for a 4:00 p.m. matchup before returning to Sabine Field on Tuesday, Apr. 14, to host New England College.