NORTHFIELD, Vt. – A fast start helped lead Norwich University past the Simmons Sharks 13-9 in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference semifinal match up Thursday afternoon.

The Cadets (13-0) jumped out to a 9-2 halftime lead on the Sharks. NU managed the first half advantage by scoring eight of the game's first nine goals. Sophomore midfielder Grace Fitzpatrick tallied all four of her goals in the opening frame, including three in the first 16 minutes, to bolster the attack.

Fitzpatrick's five-goal game, led Coach Elizabeth VanParys' offense. Senior midfielder Mollie Fitzpatrick joined her sister on the offensive barrage with three goals and an assist for a four-point game. Fellow senior midfielder Kacey Abbriano added two goals and two assists, while senior attacker Danielle Del Dotto also turned in a strong outing with two goals and two assists.

Norwich's defense registered eight caused turnovers and picked up 27 ground balls. Freshman defender Emma Smith had a big game in the back with five ground ball pick-ups and senior goalkeeper Meghan Kennedy earned her 18th consecutive victory in net and stopped nine Simmons' shot-on-goal attempts.

Despite trailing by as much as nine goals during the afternoon, Simmons fought back with a late charge. Fueled by a pair of goals each from sophomore Callie Warnock (Kingston, Mass.) and junior Rachel Wallace (Braintree, Mass.), the Sharks scored six of the game's final seven goals with tallies by Lee Sutherland (Tuftonboro, N.H.), Stephanie Oliveri (Waltham, Mass.), and Megan Coffey (Wilmot Flat, N.H.). Wallace closed the contest with four goals, and junior goalkeeper Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) registered 14 saves.

The Sharks end their season 8-9 overall and 6-3 in the conference.