Box Score NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich University men's soccer team outshot Saint Joseph's (Maine) 19-6, however the Monks scored the game's only goal to escape with a huge 1-0 win on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.
Saint Joseph's (Maine) (2-0-2, 2-0-0 GNAC) graduate-student defender Colin Grant capitalized on a loose ball in the box for his first goal of the season in the 65th minute to lift the Monks to the huge victory and continue their recent dominance of the Cadets.
Kuma Onyejose had his initial shot blocked by Norwich's Cullen Swett (Williston, Vt.), but Grant was the first one to the rebound and he sliced the ball into the top right corner of the net to extend SJC's GNAC-unbeaten streak to 44 straight games. The Monks also improved to 5-0-4 in their last nine against Norwich.
SJC graduate-student goalkeeper David Walbridge and the Monks' defense did the rest, turning back Norwich's potent offense and shutting the Cadets out for the first time this season. Walbridge made six saves to earn the clean sheet, with none bigger coming in the final seven minutes on Norwich's Amerle Nemeye (Burlington, Vt.).
Nemeye fired a free kick from 30 yards out that looked destined for the top right corner of the net, however Walbridge got his fingertips on the ball to just deflect it enough and push it off the right goal post and keep the Monks on top.
Norwich freshman Mamadi Jiana (Chicopee, Mass.) led the Cadets with seven shots, while Nemeye fired six.
Norwich (3-2, 1-1 GNAC) will host defending GNAC champion Johnson & Wales on Friday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. as part of Norwich Homecoming Weekend.
