MLX: Lasell knocks off Norwich in key GNAC meeting

NORTHFIELD, Vt. – Senior Ryan Madden (Hingham, Mass.) tallied four goals and an assist Saturday afternoon to lead Lasell College to an 11-5 victory over Norwich University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's lacrosse action at Sabine Field.

The Lasers won the battle of last year's GNAC regular season co-champions, avenging a 14-11 setback to the Cadets in 2018. Lasell won its ninth straight game this spring, improving to 10-1 overall and 5-0 in the GNAC, keeping all nine opponents to single-digit scoring. Norwich drops to 5- 4 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

Lasell out-shot the home team 58-20 (38-12 on goal). Sophomore Nick Kandra (Crofton, Md.) played 60 extraordinary minutes in goal for Norwich, making 27 saves to give the Cadets a chance. The 27 saves are the highest single-game mark in the last five seasons for a Norwich goaltender. Freshman Alex Beauchemin (Westfield, Mass.) made seven saves in the win for Lasell.

Lasell led 3-1 after one quarter, and scored the first three goals of the second frame, including two by Madden, to extend the lead. Norwich got one back in the closing seconds of the quarter but the Lasers led 6-2 at the break.

After sophomore Colby Buccheri (Rowley, Mass.) opened the second-half scoring for Lasell, Norwich notched three straight goals to cut the margin to 7-5 with six minutes left in the third quarter. The Lasers answered with three straight of their own, one from Madden and two from senior Mike Susi (Gorham, Maine), to push the lead to 10-5 after three. Freshman Max Litchfield (Barrington, N.H.) rounded out the scoring for Lasell with the only goal of the fourth quarter as the Laser defense shut out the Cadets over the final 20 minutes of the game.

Sophomore Andrew Fidalgo (Wilbraham, Mass.) and freshman Jordan Hines (Essex Junction, Vt.) added a goal and an assist for Lasell. Junior Ben Werner (Boxford, Mass.) won 15-of-19 face-offs and picked up 10 ground balls, and senior defender David Sheehan (Tewksbury, Mass.) collected four ground balls and five caused turnovers.

Lasell returns to action next Saturday, April 13, with a non-conference home game against Gordon College, beginning at 3 p.m. Norwich hosts Rivier University in a conference game this Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m.

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