Newton, Mass.- Norwich University defeated the Lasell College Lasers, 4-0, in Great Northeast Athletic Conference women's soccer action today, on Grellier Field. The Cadets scored early and cushioned their advantage with three helpers to bump up their overall record to 7-7-1 overall, and 4-5-1 in the GNAC. Lasell's slate now stands at 5-4-2 overall, and 4-2-2 in the league.
Norwich got on the board quickly, just 11:36 into the contest, with a breakaway opportunity by Nikki Szczepanski (Auburn, NY). Szczepanski received a long leading pass, taking the ball from midfield past Lasell's defenders before taking a driving shot past Lasell's goalkeeper Elizabeth Stickley (Mashpee, Mass.).
Jordynn Frollo (Uxbridge, Mass.) and Kaitlyn Fields (Stoneham, Mass.) took the Lasers' first shots on the net from distance, but were denied their attempts on goal.
At 17:36, in an identical performance to the first goal, Szczepanski broke away once again and defeated Stickley in the fifty-fifty challenge, however, Lasell's defender Olivia Tsakiris (Killingly, Conn.) sprinted to a diving, slide-tackle as the shot trickled towards the goal and rejected the shot just before it crossed the scoring-plane.
Norwich boosted their score to 2-0 by making another goal with 11:18 remaining in the first stanza. Brittany Casey (Pointe-Claire, Que.) carried the ball downfield and took a hard shot which glided into the Lasers net. Then, just two minutes later, the Cadets struck once more with another Szczepanski attack, from the top of the box. Her second goal was assisted by Casey, as the teams fell into the halftime with a 3-0 Cadet advantage.
Ally Bushey (Westminster, Mass.) headed a shot for Lasell in the second half with 35 minutes left to play, but the ball shot just left of the net. Laser attacker Jessica Taylor (Standish, ME) followed that shot up with bullet that waved slimly shy of the top of the crossbar.
Lasell's final close-call took place when Fields was awarded a penalty shot in the 22nd minute for Lasell. Unfortunately, the ball ricocheted off the left post as an unsuccessful attempt.
The Cadet's fourth tally of the day was also scored by Casey, with 13:52 left in the second period. Casey drove down the left of the field all alone and blasted a goal to the far right corner of Lasell's net.
Norwich goalkeeper Nicki Hunsicker (Emmaus, Penn.) collected seven saves in the shutout performance in the net.
On Tuesday, October 20th, Lasell with face off against the Rivier College Raiders, on the Raiders home field. The game is slated to start at 7:00 p.m.