By Tyler Blint-Welsh, news correspondent
With a win over the Drexel Dragons last Sunday, the Northeastern field hockey team extended its winning streak to 11 games, the most they’ve won in a row since 2005. The win also moved the Huskies to 2-0 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play, the first time they’ve won their first two games of conference play in the last nine years. The Dragons scored the first goal 21:55 into the first half, after senior midfielder Christina Conrad was able to put it in the net after gaining control of a loose ball.
In the first half Northeastern, failed to put a shot on goal and was only able to register a single penalty corner.
“It’s not that our offense struggled, it was more that we didn’t have connections throughout the whole field,” sophomore goalkeeper Becky Garner said.
The second half brought more scoring opportunities for the Huskies.
“In the second half we valued our possession a lot more,” Garner said. “We made the connections that [we] were previously missing and took the game into our hands to finish off what we came out to start.”
To tie the game, the Huskies scored the equalizer off of a penalty corner by sophomore midfielder Natalie Stewart. With the game tied at 1-1 going down the stretch, junior forward Vanessa Pryor was able to register a shot on goal, but it was turned away by Drexel senior goalie Jantien Gunter. With 20 seconds left in the match, sophomore forward Emma Lamison also had her shot on goal turned away by Gunter. On the other side of the ball, Garner was able to make key saves down the stretch to help the Huskies force overtime.
In their second consecutive overtime match, the Huskies were able to capitalize on a scoring opportunity when senior captain and forward Caroline Judge was able to score 2:43 into the period.
“Looking back on the past two weekends, it is clear to me that the reason we did such a good job in overtime is because of our patience, possession and perseverance,” Garner said. “Particularly in the [Boston College] game, we showed that every single member gave 100 percent every second they were on the pitch. We were tired, yet we stuck to our game plan and played our game.”
The win, which was the Huskies fifth straight come-from-behind victory, proved yet again that the Huskies can’t be counted out of the competition.
“Throughout all the games this season, whether we have had to play from behind or keep the opponent off, we have never once given up,” Garner said. “Our combined team effort and energy has allowed us to believe that we can accomplish our goals, even if we are down a goal or two, we never stop believing and that has really paid off.”
The Huskies take the field this Sunday against the University of Maine Black Bears in Dedham.
Photo by Zack Williamson, Northeastern Athletics
