NORTHFIELD, Vt. – The Southern Vermont College men's soccer team lost 3-2 in overtime in a non-conference game against Vermont foe the Norwich University Cadets Wednesday at Howard Field. Ben Naaktgeboren and Nick Haggerty each had a goal for the Mountaineers

Southern Vermont (0-1) struck first in the 67th minute when Ben Naaktgeboren put the ball in the back of the net off a scramble in front. Doug Whitman was credited with the assist on the marker.

The Cadets (1-0) answered back less than five minutes later when senior M Roger Motaze scored at the 73' mark, finishing a textbook counterattack. Freshman D Cullen Maher hit Leclaire with a beautiful pass to spring the team on the offensive.  After several touches Leclaire blasted a shot low and wide of the net. Motaze was right there to scoop up the ball and tuck it in the left side of the goal.

Norwich quickly gained its first lead when Leclaire potted his first goal of the season at the 78' mark off an assist from sophomore Bridger Van Ness.

Undeterred the Mountaineers refused to go away. Nick Haggerty beat Norwich goalie Alex Toomey for an unassisted goal in the final minute of regulation. The equalizer forced the extra session.

After playing nearly the full overtime period, the Cadets were able to break through in the 100th minute when Leclaire took a feed from freshman Joe Young, beat his man and slipped the ball past Southern Vermont keeper Aaron Eschler.   

Norwich outshot the Mountaineers 29-21 for the game and held a slight 7-6 edge in corner kicks.

Toomey finished with nine saves for NU, while Eschler had eight stops for SVC.

The Cadets return to action on Saturday, Sept. 4, when they travel to Bristol, R.I., to take part in the Roger Williams Tournament. NU will open up the first round with Plymouth State College at 2:30 pm.