By Tyler Blint-Welsh, news correspondent

The Northeastern field hockey team has continued its dominant stretch, extending its winning streak to eight games with wins over Harvard University, Boston University (BU) and University of California, Davis (UC Davis). It’s the team’s longest winning streak since 2011.

Continuing their strong defensive surge, the Huskies shut out the Harvard Crimson 1-0. In what might have been their best showing yet, the Husky defenders, anchored by redshirt senior Kaci Coveleski, held Harvard to zero shots on goal.

On offense, despite fluid play, Harvard junior goalie Issy Davies was able to deny the Huskies on seven shots in the first half.

Deadlocked at 0-0 in the second half, sophomore midfielder Natalie Stewart scored the clincher off of a deflected shot initially made by sophomore forward Emma Lamison.

The Huskies have excelled in the second half throughout their win streak by taking advantage of opportunities and making timely plays in the clutch.

“We weren’t really executing on our chances, and over the past few games we’ve really taken advantage of all the opportunities,” redshirt senior forward Kelly Dunn said of the team’s improvement. “It’s been very significant to our offensive outcomes.”

The first half of the game went the same way against Boston University:  scoreless. A little over 10 minutes into the second half, however, BU was able to score on a deflection after a save by sophomore keeper Becky Garner. But the Huskies remained poised and were able to come back for the 2-1 victory.

With 17:06 left, Stewart scored the equalizer off an assist by junior forward Vanessa Pryor. Similar to their game against Harvard, the Huskies were much more effective on offense in the second half, registering six shots on goal after only three in the first half. Sophomore forward Jessica Unger scored the clincher on a perfectly-placed penalty shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Defensively, the Huskies were dominant once more, only allowing the Terriers three shots on goal.

To end the week, Northeastern submitted adominant 7-1 rout of UC Davis at Dedham Field. After allowing the game’s first goal in the opening minutes, the Huskies scored seven unanswered, with goals coming from four different players, including two goals apiece from senior captains Dunn and Caroline Judge. Alongside their offensive onslaught, the Huskies were able to limit UC Davis to only five shots on goal.

“After I put us up 2 to 1, it all just clicked,” Dunn said.

With games against Hofstra University on Friday and Boston College on Sunday, Dunn understands the upcoming challenge.

“The battles are starting to get tougher and more physical, so we just take it one game at a time,” she said.

Photo by Jim Pierce, Northeastern Athletics