MLX: Lasell edges Norwich in see-saw fashion in key GNAC battle

NEWTON, Mass. – Senior Andrew Fidalgo (Wilbraham, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon to lift Lasell University to a 12-11 victory over Norwich University in a key Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's lacrosse match-up at Grellier Field.

There were four second-half lead changes in the contest that included the two finalists of the most recent GNAC Championships in 2019. Fidalgo had scored earlier in the fourth period to even the score at 10-10 with five minutes remaining, and Norwich grad student Jack Anzalone (Ridgewood, N.J.) tied the game at 11-11 a minute later. Each team had two possessions before Fidalgo potted the game-winner on a transition goal set up by junior James Anderson (Medway, Mass.).

The win boosts Lasell's record to 5-2 overall and 3-0 in the GNAC, while Norwich drops to 4-2 overall and 3-11 in the conference. The two teams will play again on Tuesday, April 20, also at Lasell.

Anderson led the Lasers with six points on three goals and three assists, while grad student Chase Kapuscienski (Grafton, Mass.) finished with three goals and two assists and Fidalgo and junior Bash Cunningham (Norwalk, Conn.) scored twice each.

Norwich got its 11 goals from eight different players. Anzalone finished with two goals and one assist, seniors Payden Masaracchia (Enola, Pa.) and Clyde Tamburro (Elizabethtown, Pa.) scored two goals apiece, and sophomore Callum Jones (Burlington, Ont.) and junior Parker Campbell (Rockaway, N.J.) tallied a goal and two assists each. Freshman Thomas Muraski (Keller, Texas) won 18 of 27 face-offs.

An early 2-0 Norwich lead evaporated as Lasell scored six consecutive goals from the 10-minute mark of the first period through the 4:20 mark of the second. Anderson and Kapuscienski had two goals each in the rally. Each team scored one more as the Lasers took a 7-3 into halftime.

The Cadets came alive out of the break, scoring five straight goals by five different players, to pull ahead 8-7. Kapuscienski and Cunningham went back-to-back with goals as Lasell regained the lead before Muraski answered for Norwich to tie the game after three quarters, 9-9. Each team pulled ahead by one once in the fourth quarter before Fidalgo's dramatic game-winner in the final minute.

Junior goalie Alex Beauchemin (Westfield, Mass.) earned the win in goal for Lasell, making 11 saves. Senior Nick Kandra (Crofton, Md.) made 13 saves for Norwich.

The Lasers play their final three regular season games at home, beginning next Thursday, April 15, against Saint Joseph's College of Maine at 4 p.m. Norwich plays it final regular season home game next Saturday, April 17, against the University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut) and 1 p.m.

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