NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's soccer team continued its strong run of form Wednesday afternoon, earning a 3-0 victory over Colby-Sawyer College at Sabine Field in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play.
The Cadets controlled the tempo of the match from the opening whistle, outshooting the Chargers 16-4 and putting 11 attempts on frame. Norwich also held a 5-1 advantage in corners while limiting Colby-Sawyer to just two shots on goal.
Norwich opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Alessandro D'Arena (Berlin, Conn.) poked one into the back of the net on the goal line after an incredible solo effort on the right wing from Jacob Salisbury (Fayetteville, N.C.) to give the Cadets a 1-0 advantage going into the half.
The Cadets continued to pressure the Colby-Sawyer defense throughout the opening half, with Shea Perkins (Carl Junction, Mo.) putting four shots on target while Alejandro Pena (Annapolis, Md.) added a pair of attempts. The Chargers' goalkeeper made four saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep the deficit narrowly at one.
Norwich's defense remained organized throughout the contest, with goalkeeper Victor Kalorin (Raleigh, N.C.) making one save in each half while recording his second shutout of the season.
The Cadets doubled their advantage in the 64th minute when Miles Bergeson (Charlotte, Vt.) converted a penalty kick to make it a 2-0 Norwich lead. Bergeson also played all 90 minutes as part of a defensive unit that held Colby-Sawyer without a goal and limited opportunities.
Norwich continued to generate opportunities following Bergeson's goal, earning three corners in a four-minute span while keeping the Chargers under pressure. The Cadets continued to control possession and limit Colby-Sawyer's chances as the match entered its final 10 minutes and the Chargers chances of began to dwindle away.
The Cadets added an insurance goal in the 85th minute when Daniel Hennessey (Dubai, U.A.E.) found the bottom right corner off his right foot off a beautiful volleyed assist out of the air from Lucas Pereira (Attleboro, Mass.). The goal marked Pereira's forst first collegiate assist and Hennessy's first of the year to pair with his one assist.
Hennessey nearly added another in the final minute, forcing a save on Norwich's final shot of the afternoon. The Cadets ultimately finished with a 16-4 advantage in shots and held Colby-Sawyer without a goal for the full 90 minutes.
Norwich returns to action Saturday, Sept. 26, when the Cadets travel for their next GNAC contest against Dean College at 1 p.m..
