Another week of athletics has come and gone, conference playoffs inch closer and closer, and the Winter sports season begins to heat up, let’s take another look at the Norwich University Athletics events over the past week. Once again, thanks to Norwich University Athletic Communications for stats and results.
Volleyball:
Volleyball, with only a few weeks left in the season, saw two games this week, with both being at home. In the first game of the week, the Cadets took on Rivier, one of the top teams in the conference. The Cadets held tight with Rivier in the first set before an 8-1 run would seal the first set. After falling behind 6-2 in the second set, the Cadets would come back to make it 8-7 before Rivier would pull away thanks to an 8-1 run to hold the second set. The third set saw Rivier jump out to an 8-1 lead before the Cadets would chip away, pulling the game to 12-10. Rivier, however, would keep the upper hand and win the set 25-19, winning the match 3-0. Abby Kanaga led the way for the Cadets on the day with five kills, followed by Giovanna Fruci and Lillie Ells at four kills apiece. In the second game, against Johnson & Wales, the Cadets would lose 3-0. In the first set, JWU would run out to an 8-1 lead as they took the first set 25-15. In the second set, the Cadets would keep it close, with JWU only leading 12-8 before the Cadets would give up a 9-1 run, eventually dropping the second set 25-14. In the third and final set, the Cadets kept it close until JWU would lead late at 22-13 before a Cadet run of 5-1 brought the Cadets within 5. The Cadets would drop the third set 25-18. Lille Ells led the way with five kills in this match, while Sam Lebruska would be next up with four kills. As of 10/21, the Cadets stand at 11th place in the GNAC standings and are on the outside looking in for the GNAC playoffs, sitting one win below Mitchell for the 10th and final playoff spot, but the Cadets have four conference games left to make up the difference.
Next home event: vs. New England College (10/25 @ 1800) *SENIOR GAME*
Women’s Soccer:
Entering the week with only three full games left and one continuation game, the Cadets saw 2 of those games, including senior night during this week. In the first game of the week, the Cadets took the road to face Colby-Sawyer College, losing 3-0. After allowing two goals in the first 30 minutes of the game, the Cadet’s defense would find its footing, only allowing an 80th-minute goal from then. Rebecca Karis had eight saves on the afternoon, and Bella Roy would lead the way for the Cadets with two shots and one shot on goal. In the second game of the week, the Cadets would beat the University of St Joesph CT Blue Jays 1-0. Nearing the 25th minute, Bella Roy would score the lone goal of the game for either side on a header that was assisted by a Lindsey Duggan corner kick. On the day, the Cadets would have ten shots and five shots on goal, while USJ would get 13 shots and four on goal. A phenomenal senior night home victory, as of writing, the Cadets have only one game left vs Simmons before the season is officially over for the Cadets.
Next home event: none
Women’s Rugby
Women’s Rugby lost their final home and regular season game 59-0 against the University of New England in a conference matchup.
Next home event: none
Women’s Hockey
Rounding out the exhibition games for the year, the Cadets hosted Lovell Prep Academy in their second exhibition game. The Cadets would skate out to an opening-period lead of 1-0, with the second period ending 2-0. Before the final period would end, the Cadets would add three goals and give up 1, with the final being 5-1. This leads the way for the regular season to start for the Cadets, who look to defend last year’s NEHC Postseason Championship win as well as their NCAA Tournament bid. They start the season off with a non-conference home game against Endicott College on Friday, October 27th, with the puck drop scheduled for 6 p.m. in Kreitzberg Arena. The Cadets were picked to finish first in the NEHC, earning 6 of the ten first-place votes. With a lot of returning talent, headlined by Senior Goalie Leocadia Clark, head coach Sophie Leclerc Doherty looks ready for another great season.
Next home event: vs Endicott College (10/27 @ 1800)
Women’s cross-country
Women’s Cross Country was inactive through the last week in preparation for the GNAC Conference meet, which will be held on Sunday, October 29th at 1100
Men’s Soccer
Men’s Soccer played two games in the last week, both with major GNAC Playoff implications. In the first game of the week, the Cadets took out NEC 1-0 thanks to a first-half goal by Jami Lashua. The Cadets would play stellar defense, holding NEC to only seven total shots and just one shot on goal, which Nico Lanza saved. Offensively, the Cadets would net 16 total shots with eight shots on goal, with Lashua leading the way with four shots, three on goal, and the aforementioned goal. In the second game of the week, the Cadets hosted Johnson & Wales for their Senior Game. After an early first-half goal by JWU, Nathan Statires would tie the game up near the 54th minute with a goal of his own with an assist from Hunter Lortie. The game would end in a 1-1 draw, pushing the Cadet’s unbeaten streak to 9 games, as well as being unbeaten in the month of October. On the day, the Cadets had eight shots and two on goal compared to the 19 shots and six on goal for JWU. Following the draw with JWU, the Cadets still stand in 5th place in the GNAC standings, still just one point behind Albertus Magnus. The Tuesday game against Colby-Sawyer is a day that will ultimately determine where and when the Cadets play in a tournament game.
Next home event: none
Men’s Rugby
Men’s Rugby won an away NEWCRC vs. Bently University 85-7 to advance to 5-0 on the season, keeping the Dirt Dogs as one of the top teams in the conference. The Dirt Dogs have one more regular season game left, facing off against Boston University on Saturday, October 29th, at 1630 in Boston.
Next home event: none
Men’s Hockey
Men’s Hockey won the second exhibition game they played, this time over Wentworth Institute of Technology 3-0. Following the strong exhibition games, the Cadets look to start the season off on a high note facing Endicott College on Saturday the 29th. The Cadets are seeking revenge after Endicott bounced the Cadets from NCAA Tournament action in the quarterfinals. This game will also be the Darn Tough Sock Toss. The Cadets are picked the finish 2nd in the NEHC behind Hobart. The Cadets have a lot of returning talent, with All-Region Defenseman Joe Nagle returning as a strong defensive player as well as a great pass, having tallied 16 assists last season. The Cadets also have Clark Kerner and Johnny Johnson, who both finished with eight goals last season, providing great offensive firepower. Patrick O’Neal also returns following a 17-point season for the Cadets last year.
Next home event: vs Endicott (10/29 @ 1900) *DARN TOUGH SOCK TOSS*
Men’s Cross Country
Men’s Cross Country was inactive through the last week in preparation for the GNAC Conference meet, which will be held on Sunday, October 29th at 1215.
Football
The Cadets dropped a conference road game to the United States Coast Guard Academy in the Little Army-Navy Game. Coast Guard got out to an early lead of 14-3 before the Cadets would score 2 of the next 3 TDs on O’Keefe-Chase passing connections. Those scores would be the last that the Cadets would garner as the Coast Guard would go on to score 31 points unanswered, winning the game 52-17. On the day, O’Keefe would go 23/44 for 296 yards and 2 TDs, while Trevor Chase would haul in 9 catches for 145 yards and 2 TDs. Will Thornton would add 4 catches for 76 yards on the day. Defensively the Cadets were led by Ethan Amburn and Jeremy Henault, who both tallied 12 tackles on the day. Iva Hayes would have three pass break ups, while Stefan Romero would have two on the day. Garrett Mack would have an interception on the day. The Cadets turn their attention to MIT, looking to win their second straight game against the Engineers.
Next home event: vs Springfield (11/4 @ 1200)
