Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn. – Three Coast Guard players had two goals in the game but it was not enough as Norwich beat the Bears 9-6 in the first NCAA home lacrosse game at the Academy.
Senior Pat Dreiss and junior Robert McKenna each had two goals and an assist while junior Justin Huemme had two goals. Dreiss and Huemme lead the team with seven goals on the year.
The Cadets were led by senior Seth Fuller who had three goals and one assist for a game high four points. Fuller has a team high 15 goals on the year. Freshman Josh Jenkins added three goals of his own while junior Matt Flaherty had two goals and an assist.
Coast Guard struck first as Pat Dreiss scored an unassisted goal to give the Bears an early 1-0 lead just 1:30 into the game.
The Cadets would answer as Flaherty scored his two goals of the game in the first quarter giving Norwich a 2-1 lead going into the second quarter.
It was more of the same in the second quarter as the Cadets scored the first three goals of the period taking a 5-1 lead with 6:26 left in the half. Jenkins had two goals over this stretch.
Coast Guard was able to take back momentum before the end of the first half as McKenna scored an unassisted goal making the score 5-2 going into the second half.
The second half saw more of the same at the Bears could not get any closer than three goals as both teams scored four goals. Dreiss scored a man up goal with 2:10 left in the game making the score 9-6 but Coast Guard's next few chances could not hit the mark and the game ended in the Cadet's favor.
Sophomore Ryan Carpenter made four saves on 13 shots dropping his and the teams record to 1-4.
Senior Ryan Fecteau made 15 saves on 21 shots including a number of outstanding saves raising his and the teams record to 4-1.
Norwich dominated the faceoff circle as senior Andrew Bracy won 13-19. Both teams collected 24 ground balls and were both successful on clearances as the Cadets finished 13-16 and Coast Guard completed 16-18.
The Bears return action on Wednesday, March 25th as they host Maritime(N.Y.) in nonconference action. Game time is 7:00 at Cadet Memorial Field.
