Although many people are excited for the start of the hockey season, there is a lot of excitement going on in fall sports. Playoffs are starting, and several Northeastern teams have qualified. Most of the teams have the potential to make a deep run in the Colonial Athletic Association playoffs.
In field hockey, the Huskies are coming off a weekend with a 6-0 win and a 1-0 loss, having allowed the only goal on a penalty stroke. This made them 13-5 overall and 5-2 in the CAA. In Tuesday’s National Field Hockey Coaches Association weekly poll, Northeastern remained at No. 10 for the fourth consecutive week. The playoff schedule was pushed back one day by Hurricane Sandy, but the Huskies can make a deep run.
Northeastern has an impressive average 3.17 goals per game good for 10th in the country, with only 1.67 goals against (No. 20 in NCAA). Northeastern goalie Lizzie Priest only allowed 30 goals in the 18 regular season games the Huskies played.
On offense, senior forward Crystal Poland has 28 goals and five assists, which is good for scoring first among the Huskies and second nationally. Freshman forward Deidre Duke is in second with 12 goals and six assists for the Red and Black. With the offense outshooting their opponents 196-114 throughout the season, the Huskies can make a run at the CAA Championship. It also helps that long-time foe and championship powerhouse Old Dominion University is postseason ineligible due to leaving the athletic conference for the 2013-14 season.
The Huskies offense has been getting off to quick starts and keeping the pressure on opposing teams. They get an average six more shots per game than their opponents, which leads to a lot more opportunities for the Huskies. If the Huskies offense can continue to generate that much pressure on opposing teams, they will be difficult to stop.
Men’s soccer has also been having a great season. They stand undefeated in the CAA with a 6-0-3 record, and have an overall record of 11-1-4. Their final regular season game is Friday against Towson University (2-6-2).
Their senior goalie, senior Oliver Blum, has a 0.62 goals against average and an 83 percent save percentage on 138 shots. He has been outstanding and kept the Huskies in several close double overtime games. In nine conference games, Blum has only had to make 28 saves. The defense has been formidable and gives the Huskies a chance to win every game.
They have been in eight double overtime games this season in which they’ve either won or drawn (4-0-4). The Huskies last loss came at the hands of Michigan on Sept. 9 (1-4), who is the defending NCAA Champion.
The offense has been led by senior forward Don Anding, who has 11 goals and six assists through 16 games. Although the Huskies offense has struggled at times, Anding has been consistent. Thanks to Blum’s efforts, it frequently only takes one or two goals to win.
The Huskies are used to playing very tight games, and have shown that they are able to win them. All of their close games should help them in the CAA Championship games since they’ve been resilient the whole season. If the Husky defense and goaltender continue to play at their current level, opponents will be hard pressed to score on the Huskies. The Huskies are currently ranked second to Drexel University (7-1-1), but they can compete with any team in the conference.
In conference games, Northeastern is ranked second in goals per game with 1.56 and second in goals against per game with 0.61. Drexel is ranked first in both of those categories.
Although they were eliminated from the CAA Championship tournament by Hofstra in a penalty shootout on Sunday, women’s soccer also had a successful season. They had a 7-3 CAA record, and had beaten Hofstra four days before the CAA quarterfinal matchup.
Sophomore goalie Paige Burnett finished the season with a 1.50 goals against average and five shutouts in 19 games. On the offensive side, senior forward Greta Samuelsdottir was the Huskies best scorer with nine goals and two assists. In heartbreaking fashion, the No. 4 seed lost in a 3-1 penalty kick shootout following double overtime in the stormy conditions.
– Chris Judd can be reached at [email protected]
