NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University women's soccer team opened its 2026 campaign on the newly designed and installed Sabine Field in winning fashion Tuesday evening, earning a 2-0 shutout victory over Vermont State University Johnson in a non-conference matchup.

The Cadets wasted little time establishing control of the contest, dictating possession and creating several quality scoring opportunities throughout the opening 45 minutes. Despite Norwich's consistent attacking pressure and a couple of well-generated chances from the Badgers, neither side was able to find the back of the net before halftime as the two teams entered the break locked in a scoreless draw.

Norwich continued to apply pressure coming out of the halftime break, eventually finding the breakthrough it had been searching for. The Cadets would strike twice in a span of less than five minutes in the second half, turning their sustained possession and attacking pressure into a pair of goals that would ultimately secure the season-opening victory.

The Cadets controlled the bulk of possession throughout the 90 minutes while consistently creating opportunities in the attacking third. Norwich finished the contest with a 14-4 advantage in shots, including a 7-2 edge in shots on goal, while also generating five corner kicks. The Cadets' ability to maintain possession and quickly win the ball back following turnovers kept the Badgers on their heels for much of the contest.

After nearly 70 minutes of scoreless soccer, freshman Sophie Guaralillo (Barre, Vt.) broke through with the game-winning goal in the 73rd minute. Making her first collegiate start and appearing in her first collegiate game, Guaralillo delivered a memorable debut, finding the top right corner of the net from about 25 yards out to give Norwich a 1-0 advantage in style.

Guaralillo strike provided the Cadets with the breakthrough they had been looking for and immediately shifted momentum in Norwich's favor. The Cadets continued to pressure the Badgers following the opening goal, refusing to sit back with the lead.

Just over four minutes later, Norwich doubled its advantage when Blythe McQuade (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) found the back of the net in the 77th minute. McQuade finished a corner kick opportunity from Lily Briggs (Fair Haven, Vt.), connecting with her left foot off the volley inside the 18-yard box to push the Cadets' lead to 2-0 soundly.

Just two goals marked a successful attacking breakthrough for a Norwich side that had consistently generated opportunities throughout the contest without the end product to show for it. The Cadets recorded six shots in the opening half before adding eight more attempts following halftime, ultimately finding the back of the net twice in quick succession to put the match to bed.

Freshman goalkeeper Sophie Olivo (Sanford, Maine) turned in a strong collegiate debut between the pipes. Olivo played all 90 minutes and made two saves to earn the shutout, recording the first victory and clean sheet of her collegiate career.

The victory marked a strong opening to the 2026 season for the Cadets and provided a memorable first chapter on the newly designed and installed Sabine Field. Norwich's 2-0 triumph also completed a successful day of soccer on campus, as the Cadets' men's and women's programs combined for five goals and two clean sheets on the newly renovated home pitch.

With the season-opening victory, Norwich begins the 2026 campaign with a 1-0 record and will look to carry the momentum into its first road contest of the season.

Thee Cadets return to action on Sunday, Sept. 6, when they travel to Vermont State University Castleton for a non-conference matchup against the Spartans. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.