By: Katie Zigelman, News Staff
Playing at home proved successful for the Huskies as they defeated both James Madison University (JMU) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) for a 2-2 record in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).
Northeastern beat the VCU Rams 2-1, Oct. 3. Senior midfielder Kaela Barker scored first in the game at 3:26. VCU’s Meg Neylon responded at 15:22 and senior forward Annie Clayman ended the scoring for the game with a Husky goal at 29:45. Clayman’s goal was assisted by junior back Christine Tase.
Neither team was able to get a shot on net during the second half of the game. The Huskies outshot the Rams 16-8 and earned five penalty corners compared to the Rams’ three. Junior goalkeeper Lizzie Priest had four saves during the game.
Northeastern earned another 2-1 decision during Friday’s game against the JMU Dukes. The Huskies kept the ball out of their defensive zone for the entirety of the first half. They managed 20 shots and eight corners while the Dukes had none. Junior forward Crystal Poland scored the Huskies’ first goal of the day at 28:37 off of an intercepted pass.
The Dukes evened out the game in the second half when Rachel Wein scored at 52:38, but Northeastern still outshot JMU 8-5 and earned three penalty corners compared to JMU’s one.
Poland came back in overtime to score the winning goal after 81:26 of game play. She has now scored a total of 19 goals this season and is nationally ranked as the top scorer in college field hockey.
Head coach Cheryl Murtagh said it was great to walk away from this past weekend with a double win in CAA play.
“It was really important for us to win these games,” Murtagh said. “I’m happy for the team.”
Clayman said these wins were good for the team.
“It was good to get back in CAA running,” she said.
The team is now 7-5 overall, 2-2 in CAA and 3-0 at home. Murtagh said being back at home made a difference in these games.
“We’ve been on the road nine out of the last ten games and we played some good teams,” she said. “I think that playing good teams on the road really helps in CAA play.”
Sunday’s game was also special for the team as it was “Stick it to Cancer” day at Sweeney field as well as the Northeastern field hockey alumnae game. The team members celebrated by wearing pink socks as part of their uniform.
“It was fun,” Clayman said. “Some of the girls got really into it with hair accessories and stuff.”
Murtagh also talked about how great it was to see some of the alumnae with their families.
“More and more of the alumni have kids. It was nice to see them,” she said.
The team continues their home stand next tomorrow against Delaware. After that, the Huskies will take on the Harvard Crimson, Oct.10.
Clayman also talked about what the team is doing to prepare for these next games.
“We had a nice relaxing day off and then we are probably going to work on scoring and not giving up goals,” she said. “The next two we expect to win. A shutout would be nice for Lizzie [Priest].”
Game play tomorrow is set for 2 p.m. at Sweeney Field.
