MEN'S SOCCER

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - Jason Grupp netted the lone goal, and Jake Pagragan was perfect in goal to lead the Norwich men's soccer team past Worcester State, 1-0, on Saturday afternoon at Howard Field. The victory vaults the Cadets into the ECAC Championship match.

The top-seeded Cadets, who improve to 18-3-1, will host third-seeded Wentworth (15-5-1) for the ECAC title on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 1 p.m. at Howard Field.

Norwich took the lead in the 18th minute when Grupp scored from six yards out off an assist from Ryan Boyton. Chris Rivet, who began the play with a perfectly placed corner kick, got credit for an assist as well.

Worcester State (11-8-2) hung tough throughout the rest of the game. The Lancers' goalkeeper Daniel Hansen kept them in contention with eight saves.

Pagragan was forced to make only two stops en route to his seventh shutout of the season. Norwich has recorded a total of 12 shutouts this year.

The physical game yielded a total of three yellow cards and one red card. There were also a combined 19 fouls. NU outshot Worcester State, 18-17, and the Cadets held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.