By Maggie Cassidy

Northeastern struck first, but it was New Hampshire that got the last laugh, squeezing out a 1-1 double-overtime tie on its home turf in Durham, N.H. Saturday night.

Junior defender Brenna Matthews recorded her first goal of the season for the women’s soccer team (2-2-1), connecting on a corner from freshman midfielder Tinna Nielsen in the 52nd minute. But it wasn’t enough as Caitlin Whelan, a former Husky who transferred to UNH this year, scored with 10 minutes left in regulation to knot the score at one.

“You’ve got to give her credit. It was a great shot,” head coach Ed Matz said of Whelan’s rocket on net.

Senior goalie Annie Petrofsky said the Wildcats were stronger in Saturday’s game than in previous match-ups.

“I think UNH is a better team than they’ve been in the past,” Petrofsky said. “I’m not surprised that [Whelan] stepped it up against us.”

Matz said the familiarity of the two teams made the atmosphere “electric.” Besides Whelan, many other UNH players have been members of Matz’s state club teams.

“That game was an electric, emotional game.