NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's lacrosse team endured a heartbreaking 8-7 loss to Curry College on Wednesday afternoon, in a non-conference tilt on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium.
Matt Meehan (Norfolk, Mass.) and
Chris Smith (Dawsonville, Ga.) led the Cadets with two goals apiece, while
Tyler Seidel (Centreville, Md.),
Thomas Muraski (Keller, Texas), and
Mitchell McKay (Lynnfield, Mass.) added one goal each.
Norwich struck first in quick succession, with Muraski ripping one past the reach of Austin Brown in goal on the opening face-off, before McKay added another just a minute later to give the Cadets an early 2-0 lead.
The Colonels proceeded to take control of the quarter, initiating a string of runs that would be exchanged throughout the game. Connor Bryant and Nick Perfetuo knotted things up in a three-minute span, and Perfetuo capitalized on a man-up opportunity to give Curry the edge before the second quarter.
Smith got his first nearly halfway through the second, and the Cadets would reclaim the lead on a Meehan score just prior to the halftime buzzer, with both goals coming off
Coley Bagwell (York, Pa) helpers.
Curry embarked on a 3-0 run to open the third, which would promptly be answered by Norwich's own 3-0 spurt that would hand the Cadets a 7-6 lead. After Smith's final tally at the 9:58 mark, Perfetuo would add another just a minute and a half later, tying the contest up at 7-all, eventually leading to overtime.
Norwich opened the overtime session with possession, but the Cadets were unable to get a shot off past Curry's stifling defense. The Colonels would spell doom to Norwich's hopes of victory, as Perfetuo bulleted in an assist from Pat Modoono to secure the 8-7 win for Curry.
The Cadets dominated the Colonels in ground balls (33-17) and face offs (14-4).
Norwich will return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Saturday, Mar. 25, heading south to Providence, R.I. for a 1:00 p.m. game at Johnson & Wales University. The Cadets will then return home to close out the month, hosting Rivier University at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 28.
