By Jason Richland
Only five minutes into Sunday’s sudden death overtime period against Penn State, Liane Dixon continued Northeastern’s string of clutch field hockey play, winning all four games this season by one goal to remain undefeated.
Hanging on to a 0-0 tie heading into the extra frame Northeastern was in jeopardy of suffering its first loss of the season, but senior Dixon slipped the ball past Nittany Lions junior goalie Megan Akstin to carry the Huskies to their fourth consecutive victory, 1-0 at UConn in Storrs, Conn.
Sunday’s victory was the fourth in the week for the Huskies, with the first against Ball State, 2-1, then Ohio University, 3-2, and Princeton, 2-1. All the victories came on the road.
Dixon’s goal was her second on the season, the first being the game winner in the Huskies victory over Ohio. Senior goalie Diana Nelson made six saves to record the shutout.
Dixon has scored double digits in goals in every season she has played, and has already scored two goals this season, both game winners. Her goal against Penn State secured Northeastern Field Hockey’s first ever victory against the Nittany Lions. Friday’s victory over Princeton is also the first for NU.
“She scored the winning goal [Sunday]. She puts a lot of pressure on teams from behind,” coach Cheryl Murtagh said, “but we have four great seniors in Mari [Creatini], Liane [Dixon], Alli [Bolster] and Diana [Nelson].”
The seniors returning from last season’s post-season disappointment played a role in the Huskies pre-season number one selection. The Huskies have won the America East title the past three years, and last season they were 17-6, going a perfect 6-0 in conference play before falling to UConn in NCAA regionals.
In the 13-year history of America East field hockey the Huskies have won the title nine times, and have reached the final game 12 times.
“I think it’s a great compliment to our team.” Murtaugh said, “We have done well, but every year America East is a battle. We won every [conference] game, but there were some real close games.”
Northeastern returns all but three of last years players. including senior forward Mari Creatini. America East Offensive Player of the Year Creatini led the nation last year in goals, with 29, and points, with 72. Creatini is well on pace, having collected three goals so far this season. She was also a first-team All-American last year.
“She does a great job. She plays midfield and forward. She is pretty flexible,” Murtaugh said, “but I think we have a lot of kids that are really working hard. We wouldn’t have beaten Penn State or Princeton without them.”
Defensively, the Huskies will send Northeast Region All-American Alli Bolster to start for her fourth straight season and senior Diana Nelson will be in goal.
“[The seniors] help the rest of the team step up to another level,” Murtagh said, “It’s not just Mari, but Alli and Liane, too.”
The battle has only just begun for Northeastern. The Huskies host Quinnipiac at 2 p.m. on Friday and Holy Cross on Saturday at 4 p.m. Both games are at home at Sweeney Field.
