NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's soccer team earned a 2-0 shutout victory over SUNY Canton on Tuesday afternoon at Sabine Field, using a strong attacking performance and another disciplined defensive effort to secure its second win of the season and join the win column again.
The Cadets came out firing in the opening minutes, earning three corner kicks within the first three minutes as they looked to establish possession in the attacking third. Norwich continued to apply pressure, with Miles Bergeson (Charlotte, Vt.) forcing a save in the sixth minute before Nick DePeppe (Colorado Springs, Colo.) fired a shot just wide in the 11th minute.
Norwich continued to create opportunities as Jacob Salisbury (Fayetteville, N.C.) put a shot on target in the 16th minute, forcing a save from SUNY Canton goalkeeper. Alessandro D'Arena (Berlin, Conn.) then tested the Kangaroos' goalkeeper twice, including another shot on target in the 19th minute.
SUNY Canton created its first dangerous opportunity in the 24th minute with an opportubnity in the box, but Norwich goalkeeper Victor Kalorin (Raleigh, N.C.) was there to make the sound save.
The Cadets broke through just two minutes later.
In the 27th minute, Sharmarke Hassan (Burlington, Vt.) finished off a chance to give Norwich a 1-0 lead, with Shea Perkins (Carl Junction, Mo.) providing the diagonal ball across the 18 for Hassan to tuck away with his right foot.. The goal marked Hassan's first of the season and gave the Cadets the advantage heading into the remainder of the opening half.
SUNY Canton earned a corner late in the half, but Norwich's defensive shape held firm and disciplined. The Cadets carried their 1-0 advantage into halftime after outshooting the Kangaroos 7-3 during the opening 45 minutes.
Norwich picked up right where it left off to begin the second half. Brian Baek (Fairfax, Va.) immediately tested Bovee with a shot on target in the 50th minute, while SUNY Canton answered moments later with a chance that was saved by Kalorin.
The Cadets continued to control possession in both thirds of the field, before forcing another save from the Kangaroo goalkeeper on a shot from Ben Rubinstein (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) in the 61st minute. Rubinstein remained active in the attacking third, firing another attempt wide just minutes later.
SUNY Canton attempted to generate an equalizer late, but Kalorin and the Norwich backline remained composed. Kalorin made another save in the 56th minute, preserving the Cadets' one-goal advantage.
The Cadets finally found their second goal with just 20 seconds remaining. Norwich was awarded an own goal off SUNY Canton at the 89:40 mark, extending the advantage to 2-0 and putting the match out of reach.
Norwich closed out the final seconds to secure the shutout.
The Cadets finished the afternoon with a 13-6 advantage in shots, including an 8-3 edge in shots on goal, while earning 13 corner kicks to SUNY Canton's three. Kalorin made three saves to record his first shutout of the season.
With the victory, Norwich improves to 2-2-1 overall on the year.
The Cadets return to action on Saturday, Sept. 19, when they take on Elms College.
