By: Amanda Devaney, News Correspondent
The women’s hockey team is off to a good start this season, after tying its first game against Syracuse University 4-4 Friday and taking down Union College 4-3 in an overtime thriller Saturday.
Northeastern took a 2-1 lead over Union 6:15 into the second period when sophomore forward Siena Falino scored, assisted by freshman forward Claire Santostefano.
But Union forward Elsa Bruestle scored seven seconds later, tying the score 2-2.
Sophomore forward Brittany Esposito’s goal 3:34 into overtime, assisted by sophomore forward Rachel Llanes and senior forward Kristi Kehoe, gave the Huskies’ their first win of the season.
Husky junior goaltender Florence Schelling made a total of 23 saves in the victory.
“Union is a real gritty team,” head coach Dave Flint said.
However, the Huskies demonstrated that Union’s rough style of play would not stop them for taking the win.
In Friday’s contest against the Orange, freshman forward Katie MacSorley revealed her skills and notched her first two career goals in the season opener.
MacSorely propelled the Huskies to take a 4-3 lead after trailing 3-2 entering the third period.
“It was a really good first game,” MacSorley said. “I just had to play my game, I couldn’t over-think.”
MacSorley played for Team Ontario before getting recruited to play for Northeastern. Her ambition has always been to play Division I hockey she said, and from her performance this weekend, it is evident that she will be a great asset to the team.
“Linda Lundrigan [Assistant Coach] found Katie,” Flint said. “We scout pretty heavily,” Flint said. “She’s got a knack for putting the puck in the net. She definitely brings speed and a scoring touch to the team. It is reassuring that she performed well; she will progress well throughout the year.”
The Huskies’ picked up their game in the third period and continued to play hard as the game went into overtime. Both teams were evenly matched, tallying just two shots-on-goal apiece in the extra session.
Throughout the game, Syracuse out-shot Northeastern 38-19.
“We had a bunch of new kids out there and they were still figuring it out and getting used to the new system,” Flint said. “I think offensively, there were lots of shots, but no quality shots.”
Flint said freshmen like Santostefano will probably make great contributions to the team’s success. Flint said he is certainly grateful to have so many talented freshmen on the team this year.
“We lost a lot defensively last year so we need to replace that,” he said. “These new girls will be sure to fill that void.”
The Huskies’ are scheduled to play this Saturday at 3 p.m. as they travel to Hamden, Conn. to battle the Quinnipiac University Bobcats.
