By Jason Richland
Two games, two shots. That’s all senior goalie Diana Nelson had to face last week at Sweeney Field against visiting College of the Holy Cross and Quinnipiac University. So far this season, the field hockey team is a perfect 6-0.
On Saturday, previously unbeaten Holy Cross managed to amuse Nelson with a paltry two shots, while the Huskies pounded Holy Cross goalie Sony Kuhn with an 18-shot bombardment in Northeastern’s second 4-0 victory in two days.
“[Junior] Lauren Edelmeier and [senior] Alli Bolster really stepped up [defensively]. We started out with strong defense,” said NU head coach Cheryl Murtagh. “We needed to do that, and that helped us get a good start [offensively].”
The Huskies got out to a great start, scoring three goals before halftime while playing smart defense. Northeastern allowed only one penalty to Holy Cross’ 14.
NU got on the board five minutes into the first half when Edelmeier slipped the ball past Holy Cross’ Kuhn for the first goal, with an assist to Bolster.
Six minutes later senior forward Mari Creatini scored a goal with assists credited to Bolster and senior forward Liane Dixon. Sophomore Whitney Shean added another goal before the half with help from fellow sophomore forward Natalie Singelais. Dixon added an unassisted goal with five minutes left in the game, ending the misery for Holy Cross.
Northeastern’s defense was stifling in both games, and the offense was led by the seemingly unstoppable, yet modest, Liane Dixon.
“I have been fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time,” Dixon said. “But the focus on this team, from the front line to the back line, has been defense. When things don’t go our way we refocus, and try and pick it up on defense. Attacking and putting the ball in the net is a plus.”
Fresh from being named America East Player of the Week, Dixon went right back to work, scoring three goals against Quinnipiac in addition to her tally against Holy Cross. She leads the Huskies with six goals and three assists for 15 points.
“It’s good team play and chemistry,” Dixon said. “Our defense is just as important, if not more important, than our offense.”
While she spent Friday playing in the Huskies’ game against Quinnipiac, Nelson should have spent the afternoon doing homework. The keeper spent the day watching her teammates ravage the Bobcats, 4-0.
“I was just watching the team,” Nelson said. “I love watching them have great passing opportunities and put the ball in the net.”
The Bobcats were unable to put a single shot on Nelson while the Huskies peppered Quinnipiac goalie Erin McKay with 18 shots.
“Our offense keeps possession of the ball,” Murtagh said. “We want to have 20 shots a game.”
Against Quinnipiac the Huskies jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead when Creatini scored on a corner, assisted by Bolster and Dixon. Ten minutes later Dixon caught fire, scoring her first goal of the day.
The score remained 2-0 coming out of the half, until Dixon drilled another shot past Quinnipiac’s McKay, assisted by redshirt freshman Michaela O’Malley, and Dixon scored her third goal unassisted to add the final tally of the day.
The Husky offense’s constant pressure is a compliment to the hard work the team puts in on defense.
“Our big goal was to sharpen the defense. We knew Holy Cross was a good team, but we shut down the passing game,” Murtagh said, “We have good shots and good shooters.”
Creatini netted a goal in each game, raising her season total to five goals for 10 points. Redshirt freshman goalie Elizabeth Centofanti saw her first collegiate action Friday, playing the final seven minutes of the game.
“It was exciting to see her out there,” incumbent goalie Nelson said. “I think she was a little nervous, but she did a great job.”
Boston College is the next big test for NU when the Eagles visit Sweeney Field Wednesday at 4 p.m. to try their luck against the unbeaten Huskies. Northeastern will also travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. to face Central Michigan on Saturday.
