CASTINE, Maine - The Norwich University women's lacrosse team opened the 2026 campaign in decisive fashion on Friday afternoon, earning just its second-ever victory over Maine Maritime Academy with an 8-5 non-conference triumph at Ritchie Field in Castine, Maine.

Five Cadets found the back of the net, led by a hat trick from Vivian Buntin (Middlebury, Conn.), who added an assist and three draw controls.  Caitlyn Fielder (East Calais, Vt.) posted two goals and an assist for three points, while Tori Jarvis (South Windsor, Conn.), Lauren Labbe (Brunswick, Maine), and Caitlin Slider (Thetford Center, Vt.) each contributed a goal.  Jarvis, Slider, and Athena Merck (West Yarmouth, Mass.) recorded one assist apiece.

"It is always great to start the season with a win!  I am proud of the passion and grit we played with today," said Head Coach Ian Thomas.  "We are a very young team this year with incredible potential.  Our seniors showed great leadership throughout the game, being a calm presence for our younger players, in a game that had many frantic stretches from both teams."

After more than seven minutes of scoreless action to open the contest, Fielder broke through on a free-position attempt to deliver Norwich's first goal of the season.  The Cadets quickly built momentum, as Jarvis found Buntin from behind the net two minutes later, with Buntin whipping a shot over Maine Maritime's Ella Bowes for a 2-0 edge.  Labbe followed with the first goal of her collegiate career, slicing through three defenders and burying a shot into the side of the net to send Norwich into the second quarter with a 3-0 lead.

Norwich capitalized on a man-up opportunity midway through the second frame, as Slider delivered a pass to Jarvis in stride in front of the crease to extend the run to 4-0.  The Mariners answered five minutes later, but the Cadets responded in the final seconds of the half.  With just five seconds remaining, Fielder's pass found Slider, who redirected the ball into the nylon to secure a 5-1 halftime advantage.

The Cadets carried that energy into the third quarter.  Buntin dished to Fielder on the doorstep, where she split two defenders and finished past Bowes to stretch the margin to 6-1.  Maine Maritime capitalized on two extra-player opportunities midway through the period, trimming the deficit to 6-3 heading into the final stanza.

Buntin provided the decisive cushion early in the fourth, scoring twice in a 52-second span.  She first converted on a rebound after Sophia Albright's (East Dummerston, Vt.) shot ricocheted off the post.  Following a Labbe draw control win that gave Norwich immediate possession, Merck threaded a pass to Buntin near the crease, and the sophomore finished over her left shoulder to push the lead to 8-3.

Maine Maritime netted the game's final two goals over the closing nine minutes, but Norwich's defense remained steady to preserve the season-opening victory.

The Cadets held a narrow 8-7 edge in draw controls, with Buntin, Labbe, and Fielder each securing wins in the circle.  Sienna Caron (Jewett City, Conn.) led the ground-ball effort with four pickups.

Bailey Ingala (West Hartford, Conn.) opened her senior campaign with a standout performance in goal, recording 11 saves and two ground balls across a full 60 minutes of action.

"Bailey had a lights out performance in goal and also won some key run outs on wide shots giving us extra possessions," Thomas added.  "We are excited to continue to refine our offensive and defensive systems as we become more battle tested.  The sky is the limit with this group!"

The win marks just the second in program history over Maine Maritime, following a 12-8 victory over the Mariners last season.  Maine Maritime finished the 2025 campaign with a 12-2 record.  The Mariners won the first-ever meeting between the programs, 13-12, on Apr. 5, 2017, on Sabine Field.

Norwich will enjoy a full week between contests before traveling to Lasell University on Saturday, Mar. 7, for its Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener at 11:00 a.m. in Newton, Mass.  The Cadets will then head to Plattsburgh State on Monday, Mar. 9, for a non-conference make-up game originally scheduled for Feb. 24.