By Dylan Botelho, Staff Writer
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs fell short of winning their season opener 13-10, in a non-conference game against the Norwich University Cadets at Cressy Field.
Sophomore Donovan Prozinski, led the charge for the Corsairs comeback, tying his career game-high record for goals scored with four. His three goals in the final quarter closed the gap between the Corsairs and the Cadets, but ultimately couldn’t finish the Cadets off.
Norwich dominated the first half against the odds. The away team lead the Corsairs 6-2 heading into the second half. Five different players for the Cadets scored goals to open their season. Norwich University sophomore Cody Moore, led the way for the Cadets in the first half with two goals.
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s two goals were scored by Prozinski and Jordan Torres. Prozinski scored the Corsairs first goal of the season and proved to be the team’s star for the remainder of the game.
Quickly into the second half, the Cadets extended their lead. Junior Josh Jenkins scored his second goal of the game to put Norwich University up by a daunting five goals. Corsairs first-year player Josh Souza, quickly began the Corsairs climb back however.
Scoring his first goal past opposing goal keeper, Junior Ian Kriger. Back-to-back goals from Norwich University’s Moore and Senior Matt Shea lulled the Corsairs for the time being. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs however, answered with two unanswered goals of their own. Goals from Junior Jimmy Hirtle and Senior Dean Miller lead the Corairs into the final quarter with a little bit of momentum but the score board still favored the Norwich University Cadets, 9-5.
The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs dug themselves into an even deeper hole after gaining all the momentum towards the end of the third quarter. Norwich opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with 12:47 still remaining in the game with another back-to-back scoring combination.
Seniors Michael Cashman and Jack Dwyer seemingly had put the game away. With an 11-5 lead, the Norwich University Cadets just had to hold on to their lead for another 12 minutes and they would be leaving the away Cressy Field with their first win under their belts.
The Corsairs didn’t give up however, they began to dig themselves out of their six goal hole with 11:53 left to play when Provinski closed the gap by one. Unfortunately, it was right back to a six goal deficit when Norwich’s Jenkins scored his third and final goal of the game to put the Cadets up 12-6 with 8:27 remaining.
Time was starting to work against the Corsairs. They needed six unanswered goals in the final eight minutes of the game in order to just tie the Cadets 12. Prozinski and Miller both scored again to cut the lead to four before Norwich senior Ian Kennedy put the nail in the coffin. Prozinski and sophomore Mike Rizzo both scored before the game closed out but it was too little, too late, as Norwich left victorious, 13-10.
The Corsairs will host another non-conference game on March 3 against Rivier at 12:00 p.m. and Norwich will have their home-opener the same day against Cost Guard at 1:00 p.m.