PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - The Norwich University men's lacrosse team kicked off the 2024 season in dominant fashion, soaring past the Cardinals of Plattsburgh State University, 18-9, at the Fieldhouse Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
Seven different Cadets tallied goals, spearheaded by a five-goal showing from
Christian Rainis (Wynantskill, N.Y.), who also added an assist to finish with six points.Â
Drew Fleury (Nashua, N.H.) and
Tyler Seidel (Centreville, Md.) ripped in four goals apiece, with Seidel also handing out a pair of helpers.Â
Coley Bagwell (York, Pa.) had two goals, and
Mitchell McKay (Lynnfield, Mass.),
Matt Meehan (Norfolk, Mass.), and
James Raymond (Tracy's Landing, Md.) had one goal each.
The Cardinals struck first and fast, getting on the board less than two minutes in on a Donald Woods score, but the Cadets found some momentum halfway through the opening stanza on back-to-back tallies from Rainis.
Plattsburgh knotted things up at 2-all, but it would be the last time the hosts would threaten Norwich, as the subsequent onslaught by the visitors proved insurmountable. Two goals from Fleury and Rainis to end the period would ignite a 6-0 run by the Cadets, stretching into the second period.
Norwich never allowed Plattsburgh to get closer than five for the remainder of the contest, again blowing open the lead in the third quarter, turning a 12-7 advantage into a dominant 18-8 lead late in the fourth before Plattsburgh made it single-digits in the waning minutes of the game.
Thomas Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) earned the win between the pipes, turning away 14 shots.
The Cadets outshot Plattsburgh, 49-37, while claiming a commanding 24 face offs to just five for the Cardinals. Norwich finished 12-18 on clear attempts and capitalized on three extra man opportunities, while preventing Plattsburgh from converting on four man-up chances.
Norwich will return to action for its home opener this weekend, hosting GNAC newcomer Mitchell College on Sabine Field for the Cadets' conference opener on Friday, Feb. 23, at 5:00 p.m.
