On a cloudy day at Jack Berry Field in Cambridge, Northeastern field hockey faced a hurricane of offense unlike any it had faced in the past.
Northeastern needed one victory to clinch the America East regular season title on Sunday but despite the brilliant play of senior goalie Diana Nelson, the Huskies fell short, falling 2-0 to crosstown rival Boston University.
“My team was struggling, and I did the best I could,” Nelson said. “If one player is having a hard time, we have to try and step up. It just didn’t come together.”
The Huskies had not allowed a goal in their previous five games.
“They had stronger defense,” senior Liane Dixon said. “I am looking forward to correcting the mistakes. I am focused on getting the team back on track.”
The Terriers came into the matchup at Jack Berry Field ranked 21st in the nation. The Huskies ranked 10th but stood against a BU attack that looked powerful.
“I don’t really know what happened,” Dixon said. “This is one of those things we have to put in our pockets and move on.”
The Terriers racked up 21 shots against Northeastern’s normally stingy defense, the highest total allowed by the Huskies, eclipsing the 18 shots Michigan put up in the Huskies’ previous loss.
By clinching the America East regular season title, Boston University will be the host of the America East Championship Nov. 5-7 at the Jack Berry Field in Cambridge.
“I don’t think we played our best. I think we do have leadership on the field and we know we can play a better game,” Nelson said. “Our heads were not in it. We are working hard to get momentum on our side for the America East [Championship].”
The Terriers came out shooting, scoring the first goal with 16:16 remaining in the half. Nelson was forced out of position by a pass in front of the net and BU senior Kara Rossi slipped in the ball.
Entering the second half Northeastern put some additional pressure on the Terriers but BU scored again with 12:04 remaining in the game. BU freshman Pam Spuehler tried to fool Nelson with a right to left fake and Nelson made the save. But Spuehler would pounce on the rebound and tip the ball just past the reach of Nelson and into the net.
“We have to play stronger defense,” Dixon said. “I am not dwelling on this.”
BU was well prepared for the matchup, stifling every play the Huskies tried, preventing them from gaining any momentum. BU sophomore Erin Prediger made just one save to earn the shutout.
Despite having a 6-3 advantage in penalty corners, Northeastern found no way to solve Boston University’s defense. Northeastern’s total of seven shots for the game is the lowest total of the season for the high scoring Huskies.
Northeastern has one game remaining, a conference matchup with the University of Maine on Saturday at noon in Orono.
