NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's rugby team topped the University of New Hampshire 43-22 in NECRC regular season action on Saturday afternoon in the team's home finale.

The Cadets jumped out to an early 12-0 lead in the first 20 minutes thanks to tries by sophomore Tom St. Pierre and junior Anthony Candrilli with fellow junior Keegan Frick (Thornton, Pa.) converting the conversion on the second try.

The Wildcats cut into the lead with a try in the 27th minute to make it 12-5 before Norwich junior Trevor Surratt scored a try in the 35th minute followed by a Frick conversion to stretch the lead to 19-5.

Sophomore Matt Ulufanua capped the scoring in the first half with a try in the 43rd minute followed by another Frick conversion to give Norwich a 26-5 lead at the half.

Junior Nate Beede scored a try followed by yet another Frick conversion in the 50th minute to give the Cadets their largest lead of the afternoon at 33-5.

Beede then scored tries in the 65th and 78th minutes to answer Wildcat tries and give the Cadets a 43-22 win.

The Cadets improve to 4-4 while the Wildcats fall to 0-7-1.

In the second side match Norwich won 29-10 thanks to tries by senior Nick Rowell (Southbridge, Mass.), juniors Blair Woodley (Westport, Conn.) and Trevor Nozell (two) and sophomore Zach Norris.

The Cadets are next in action on Saturday, November 7th when they travel to face the University of Rhode Island. That NECRC contest is set for 1:00 p.m.