Boston, Mass. (10/31/12) - The Lasell College men's soccer team was upset by the fourth seeded Cadets of Norwich University, 2-1 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference semifinals at Boston University's Nickerson Field. Lasell fell to 15-4 on the season, while Norwich improved to 11-5-2 with the victory.
Kyle Cronin (Weymouth, Mass.) scored the Lasers goal, his sixth of the season on an assist from Brennen Adams (Southbury, Conn.). Ryan Campbell (Damascus, Md.) and Garrett Shufelt (Clifton Park, N.Y.) each scored for Norwich with Chris Bristol (Clinton, Conn.) and Greg Payne (State College, Pa) tallying assists for the Cadets.
Miguel Colmenares (Caracas, Venezuela) made six saves while taking the loss for Lasell, while Payne made three saves to earn the victory for Norwich.
The scoreless first half saw both teams control portions of the action, with Norwich opening the match with good composure and possession, before the Lasers began to turn the tide as the half progressed. Both sides finished with eight shots in the opening half, however the Cadets put five in frame to one by Lasell.
Norwich scored the first goal of the match in the 49th minute, when a Bristol's corner was deflected by Lasell keeper Colmenares which then fell to Campbell who fired the ball just inside the post, putting Norwich ahead 1-0.
The Cadets opened up a 2-0 lead in the 68th minute when a Payne punt rolled behind the Lasell back four. Shufelt snuck behind a Lasell central defender at the top of the 18' and chipped Colmenares who was attempting to come out and make a play on the ball.
Lasell trimmed the Cadets lead to 2-1 in the 72nd minute when Nery Guerra (Guatemala City, Guatemala) found Brennen Adams on the left flank. Adams beat a Norwich defender to the endline pulling Payne off his line and found an Kyle Cronin at the top of the 6' box who tapped his cross into an empty net.
The Lasers continued to attack the Norwich end of the field, but were unable to find an equalizer, falling 2-1.
With the victory Norwich advances to play Albertus Magnus on Saturday November 3rd for the GNAC championship.