Cadets Win 7-4 Season Opener At Anna Maria

PAXTON, Mass. – While the spring time weather has not yet arrived, the Norwich men's lacrosse team opened their 2011 campaign on a plowed turf surface at Anna Maria College in weather still requiring hats and mittens for the spectators.

The Cadets came out strong, taking an early lead in the game and finishing on a 7-4 note over the AMCATS of Anna Maria College in non-conference action. This puts Norwich with a positive 1-0 season record, as conference games will begin in April.

Freshman Marco Wiederaenders put Norwich on the board midway through the first quarter, but it was Anna Maria who came back with two unanswered goals for the lead going into the second frame. Chris Summers was assisted by Mike Saulnier for the tie, while Andrew Biscardi put the home team ahead, 2-1.

Andrew Ellis, the AMCATS goalie, was a target of sophomore Joe Galante's interest, as Ellis found himself eating turf each time he stepped out of the crease with the ball in Galante's presence.

Senior Tyler Woods tied the game at the start of the second quarter on a one-timer from freshman Ian Mendoza. Galante shot a bullet at Ellis, but the AMCATS goalie deflected it with his body and the Cadets remained tied at 2-all.

Biscardi tried to put the home team up before the half, but the chance was taken away by Norwich's last line of defense.

In perfect position to retrieve classmate Brandon Stubbs's rebound, freshman William Flanagan scooped up the ground ball for a quick shot and the 3-2 lead.

Anna Maria's Brad Peterson tried to tie it up with less than a minute remaining in the first half, but was denied by Proctor.

Returning to the field for the third quarter, Norwich took early control of the ball, as Woods netted his second goal of the game.

Senior Patrick Sikora rifled off a pair of bounce shots midway through the quarter, both of which went high, but Galante found the perfect angle and bounced in a shot past Ellis's right ankle on a pass from Woods.

Saulnier shot a bullet past Proctor with 2:30 left in the quarter to return it to a two-goal game at 5-3.

The Cadets took command in the fourth quarter, as Wood retrieved a one-timer from Wiederaenders in the first minute and a half of play. Freshman Patrick Tommins followed five minutes later with an unassisted point at 8:06, making it 7-3.

AMCATS Saulnier continued to lead the home team in action, netting an unstoppable shot over Proctor's shoulder with six minutes remaining.

Proctor, now 1-0 in net for the Cadets, made 14 saves in the win.

The Cadets will player their next game on March 23, played Husson at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine. The game is set for a 6:30 p.m. faceoff.