Norwich Falls To Suffolk , 2-1, In Final Minutes On Senior Day
NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Norwich Cadets were neck-and-neck with the league-leading Suffolk Rams until 1:45 remained on the clock and the Rams netted the game-winning goal, defeating the Cadets 2-1 on their "Senior Day" Saturday at Howard Field.
Prior to the start of the GNAC contest, the Norwich women's soccer team recognized their eight seniors: Sarah Voss, Alecia Wright, Nicki Hunsicker, Stephanie Dorain, Nikki Szczepanski, Megan Gingras, Sarah Reuschel, and Karissa Doyon.
In the first half of the contest, Norwich (11-6, 8-4 GNAC) took the lead as sophomore Bianca Bodga scored her first goal of the season on a rebounded corner kick scrum. The Cadets held the Rams at a one-goal deficit going into halftime.
At the start of the second frame, Suffolk (12-2-1, 10-2 GNAC) tied the contest as junior Natalie Favati netted an unassisted goal. Just as the top two GNAC teams began to prepare for overtime with one another, Rams' freshman Monica Wolf set-up classmate Gabrielle Balestrier for the game-winning goal with less than two minutes remaining in regulation time.
Playing big in net to keep the Rams in the game, senior goalkeeper Emily Joyce set aside 14 of the Cadets shots-on-goal. Senior Hunsicker made seven saves in her 90 minutes in net.
The Cadets move into the GNAC quarterfinals on Sunday, Oct. 31. The opponent and the time of the event is still to be determined.
