By Trevor Wenners, News Correspondent
The women’s soccer team picked up its second Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) win of the season Sept. 27, topping James Madison University 2-0 in Harrisonburg, Va.
Redshirt-sophomore midfielder Hannah O’Donnell scored the game winning goal at 3:56 for the Huskies (4-7, 2-1 CAA), assisted by senior defender Sandra Magnusdottir.
“The early goal was important because we did not start particularly well,” head coach Tracey Leone said. “The goal allowed us to get some confidence.”
The goal was O’Donnell’s first of the year, but she is all about winning – not about personal statistics.
“I do not really care who gets the game winning goal,” she said. “I am just glad we were able to win and pull it out.”
Redshirt-sophomore forward Devin Griffin added her first goal since Aug. 27, 2010, at 42:53 on an assist from junior midfielder Hanna Terry.
“To go in before halftime and get an insurance goal is incredibly important on the road playing a good attacking team like JMU,” Leone said.
Griffin only played three games combined in the 2010 and 2011 seasons due to injury and personal reasons.
“To have Devin back, healthy and playing well is amazing,” Leone said. “She is a great player and a great teammate.”
Griffin had an impressive 2009 season in which she started 18 games and led the Huskies in goals, assists and points (14-7-35) prior to going down with a season-ending knee injury. She was named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America second-team All-American, CAA Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year.
Spending a great deal of time without playing alongside her teammates during the 2010 and 2011 season was tough for Griffin.
“Being away physically, out of the situation made it a little easier but coming back and seeing the girls [was] so hard,” Griffin said. “Knowing I would be back soon enough made it much easier.”
Griffin’s goal sent the Huskies into halftime with a two goal lead which they hadn’t done since their preseason exhibition against University of Maine on Aug. 12, a 2-0 win.
The Dukes (3-8, 1-2 CAA) switched goalkeepers in the second half as sophomore Marlee Stynchula replaced redshirt-sophomore Kate Courter. Each goalie recorded one save in the contest with Stynchula not allowing any goals in the second half.
The Huskies were able to hold the lead in this game, something they were unable to do against the University of North Carolina-Wilmington Seahawks in their 4-2 loss Sept. 23.
“We made sure we had high intensity the whole game, we kept a winning mentality,” O’Donnell said.
Sophomore goalkeeper Paige Burnett recorded fives saves, making Thursday’s match her third shutout in her past four games.
“We are really lucky to have someone as good as her,” Leone said. “Her leadership abilities and communication skills have really improved.”
The Huskies won the shot battle 11-9, with senior forward Greta Samuelsdottir leading the Huskies with five shots. The Dukes recorded five shots on goal to the Huskies’ four.
This was the first time Northeastern has ever beaten the Dukes in Virginia, but Leone has had a great amount of respect for the JMU Dukes soccer program during her years as head coach.
“Their record was similar to ours going in so we knew it was going to be a great game,” Leone said. “They are a great team.”
After the players picked up their first road win of the season, Leone emphasized the importance of being able to play away from Parsons Field.
“If you want to win a championship, you have to win on the road,” she said. “Our team’s mentality has improved. Our mental toughness has improved to embrace going on the road and playing when it is you against the world.”
The Huskies will try to keep their momentum going when they host the Drexel University Dragons this afternoon at 4 p.m. at Parsons Field, before hitting the road again to play at the University of Delaware on Sunday at 1 p.m.
