NORTHFIELD, Vt.- The Norwich Men's Soccer team kicked off the festivities of Alumni Weekend with a rousing 2-1 victory over Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Regis for their first win of the
Robert Emmett era courtesy of a brace from senior defender
Cullen Swett (Williston, Vt.).
The Cadets held a decided edge in possession in the early going earning several corner kicks in the first 12 minutes to go along with two shot attempts. As Norwich continued to press, the Pride would be assessed the lone yellow card of the game in the box, leading to a penalty kick. After going three for three last season in penalties, Swett buried his first of the game sending the ball from his left foot to the bottom left corner in the 31
st minute to get Norwich the lead.
After a close call nearly extending the Cadet lead to two, Regis would come down to their attacking end, where they were awarded two corners in short succession. Off the second corner, Cade Bretton would send a header to the back of the net, equalizing the game in the 38
th minute. Norwich continued to press the offense as the half wound down, but the score remained one a piece at the break holding a 5-1 advantage in shots.
Early in the second half, the Pride looked to take the lead, but were denied with
Nicolas Lanza (Cocoa Beach, Fla.) coming up a big save to keep it square. Soon after, in the 59
th minute, the Cadets were awarded their lone corner of the half, and they made it count. From the right flag,
Jeremy Pless (Titusville, Fla.) sent to ball to the left post, where it deflected off
Kam Jorgenson (Titusville, Fla.) and found the left foot of Swett and the back of the net to put Norwich ahead.
Back-and-forth action ensued down the stretch with both teams generating chances, but both Lanza and Pride netminder Caleb Russo kept the score the same. In the dying second, Regis was granted one last corner searching for the equalizer, but the ball was cleared out of danger leading to the final whistle.
Up next, Norwich will travel through the green mountains to take on intrastate rival Vermont State Castleton on Sept. 24 at 7 PM.
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