AMCATS drop home opener to Cadets, 7-4

PAXTON, Mass. (03.09.11) – Senior Tyler Woods (Essex Junction/Vt.) had four points on three goals and an assist to help lead the Norwich University men's lacrosse team to a 7-4 victory over Anna Maria College at AMCAT Field on Wednesday evening. The game marked the season opener for the Cadets, who now improve to 1-0, while the loss drops the AMCATS to 0-3 on the year.

Woods led all players with his four points and three goals, while also adding three ground balls. Freshman Marc Wiederaenders (Denver, Colo.) contributed both a goal and an assist in his collegiate debut. Sophomore Joe Galante (Framingham, Mass.), freshman William Flanagan (Oxford, N.Y.), and freshman Patrick Tommins (Fairfield, Conn.) each had one goal in the win, while Ian Mendoza (Mount Airy, Md.) dished out one assist. Senior Patrick Sikora (Montpelier, Vt.) collected a team-high five ground balls for the Cadets, while junior Nathan Proctor (Pleasanton, Calif.) earned the win in net with a 14-save performance.

The AMCATS were paced by junior Mike Saulnier (Wrentham, Mass.) who had three points on two goals and an assist. Sophomore Chris Summers (Morris, N.J.) and freshman Andrew Biscardi (Wantagh, N.Y.) each added goals for Anna Maria, while junior Brad Peterson (North Kingstown, R.I.) led all players with six ground balls.

After Wiederaenders scored the opening goal of the game for the Cadets, the AMCATS answered by tying the game on a man-up goal by Summers off a feed from Saulnier. Anna Maria then took a 2-1 lead on an unassisted tally from Biscardi.

The Cadets bounced back to score the only two goals of the second quarter to take a 3-2 lead into the break. Woods scored the game-tying goal off a pass from Mendoza on a man-up opportunity, while Flanagan added the go-ahead score with just 2:10 remaining in the opening half.

The Cadets maintained momentum into the second half, as Woods scored the opening goal of the third quarter before setting up Galante for Norwich's fourth unanswered tally.

Anna Maria clawed back to within two when Saulnier found the back of the net with 2:31 remaining in the third quarter.

However, the Cadets received scores from both Woods and Tommins tin the final period to seal the 7-4 victory.

The Cadets won't take the field again until Wednesday the 23^rd versus Husson, while the AMCATS return to action this Friday when they battle Becker College on the road at 4:00 pm.