NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The Norwich University men's lacrosse team overcame an early first-quarter deficit and never looked back, soaring to a 19-13 victory over Plattsburgh State University for their first win of the season in a non-conference duel on Sabine Field on Wednesday evening.

Drew Fleury (Nashua, N.H.) was untouchable in the victory, converting on six shots for six goals to go with two assists for a game-high eight points, alongside two ground balls.  Christian Rainis (Wynantskill, N.Y.) and Chris Smith (Dawsonville, Ga.) also claimed hat tricks, ripping in three goals apiece, with Rainis handing out two helpers while Smith added an assist.

Jackson Forbes (Merrimack, N.H.), Ryan McGorry (Hingham, Mass.), Case MacDonald (Burke, Va.), James Raymond (Tracy's Landing, Md.), Jake Marcotte (Old Orchard Beach, Maine), David Myers (Hainesport, N.J.), Ronan Scott (Bridgewater, N.J.), and David Gosselin (South Burlington, Vt.) all also tallied points, with Marcotte finding the back of the net twice while Forbes, McGorry, MacDonald, Myers, and Gosselin all recording goals.

Early showings favored the Cardinals, who collected the first lead of the day just 32 seconds into the affair on a Peter Urso tally, before Raymond connected with Smith on a man-up opportunity to knot the score.

The equalizer was quickly evaporated on back-to-back goals by Plattsburgh State, who claimed a 3-1 advantage in less than six minutes.  Fleury assumed control, drilling a feed from Rainis to trim the lead down to one, and again found the back of the net four minutes later to create a 3-3 tie.

MacDonald and Fleury struck again before the end of the first quarter, and, despite the Cardinals getting one back to start the second frame, Norwich seized all subsequent momentum.  Fleury served as the catalyst, igniting a stretch of four-straight goals as the Cadets claimed a five-goal edge.

Norwich's lead continued to balloon, despite Plattsburgh State adding another to its tally, as Fleury found McGorry to generate a 7-0 run for the Cadets.  The hosts closed the third quarter with their largest lead of the night at 18-6, courtesy of Marcotte's goal.

The Cardinals rallied for seven goals in the fourth frame, but an insurance goal during the stanza by Rainis to keep Norwich's insurmountable lead intact sealed the deal for the Cadets, who coasted to the 19-13 victory.

The Cadets scooped up 48 ground balls throughout the game, spearheaded by nine from Forbes, who was also successful on 14 face-offs.  Defensively, Norwich created 19 caused turnovers, with Gavin Youngclaus (Middleboro, Mass.) anchoring the effort with a game-high five forced miscues.

Mason Dils (Watervliet, N.Y.) strung together an impressive 45 minutes worth of action in front of the nylon, securing his first victory of the season on 11 saves, while also securing eight ground balls.

Urso and Mike Walsh led Plattsburgh State offensively with four points apiece, with Urso earning a hat trick on three goals to go with a helper.

Norwich will hit the road for two consecutive outings, first traveling to the United States Coast Guard Academy on Saturday, Mar. 1, for a 1:00 p.m. clash in New London, Conn.  The Cadets then cross state lines on Tuesday, Mar. 4, to battle Plymouth State University.