NORTHFIELD, VT. – After falling behind 14-0 before running an offensive play, the Catholic Cardinals dominated the rest of the contest in a 31-14 road win at Norwich on Saturday afternoon.

Norwich scored on its first two possessions of the contest, traveling 65 yards on the opening drive of the game to take a 7-0 lead. Catholic fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Norwich scored again, jumping ahead 14-0.

Catholic got on the board with 7:17 remaining in the second quarter to make it a 14-7 game. Given a short field after a Norwich penalty on a punt, Catholic needed just three plays to move the ball 27 yards and get on the board. Junior Kevin Licciardi ran for 12 yards on first-and-10 to set up the Cards in the red zone. Two plays later, Nico Casares tossed his first of three touchdowns to fellow senior Preston Jeffrey. Casares hit Jeffrey in the right flat and the senior receiver did the rest, taking it 15 yards for the score.

Catholic was given a short field once again after a Huey Bodger sack forced a fourth-and-29 from the Norwich eight. Riley Geyer's punt traveled just 24 yards, giving Catholic the ball on the 32.

On second-and-11 from the 18, Casares found Jeffrey for a score, but the play was called back due to an ineligible man down field. Jared Colletti rushed for 10 yards to set up third-and-seven when Casares hit Jeffrey again on a skinny post for a 14-yard score.

Catholic received the opening kick of the second half and traveled 69 yards in 10 plays to take the lead. After matriculating the ball to the Norwich 32, Licciardi burst through the line and bounced outside before fighting his way into the end zone on a 32-yard rushing score.

The Cadets marched the ball down the field, looking for an answer, but on fourth-and-one at the Catholic 28, Mitchell Theal's pass fell incomplete. Eight plays and 50 yards later, Catholic's drive came to an end in similar fashion as Casares was unable to find Derrick Aikens on fourth-and-two.

The Cardinals made it a two-score game in the fourth quarter, getting the ball down inside-the-five, but ultimately settling for a Fabrizio Reilly field goal to jump ahead 24-14.

After another unsuccessful fourth down, the Cardinals put the icing on the cake with Casares' third touchdown pass of the day. On third-and-nine, Casares uncorked a 32-yard strike into the arms of Jeffrey once more.

The Cardinals tallied 405 yards of total offense, gaining 226 yards on the ground. Licciardi carried it 13 times for 145 yards and a score while Colletti chipped in with 77 yards. Casares threw for 179 yards and three touchdowns while Jeffrey finished with five catches for 66 yards and the three scores. Defensively, Bodger tallied three sacks and an interception for Catholic.

Catholic improves to 6-3 overall and 5-0 in NEWMAC play heading into a massive showdown with Springfield on Saturday.