By Danielle Ossher
The field hockey team snapped Providence’s five-game winning streak, shutting out the Friars 1-0 Wednesday.
The Huskies improved to 3-4 with the win, in the first of three consecutive away games. Northeastern set the pace of the game early by dominating play after play, coming off a strong pre-game warm-up.
After 20 minutes of scoreless play, freshman forward Emma Boggio netted the game-winning goal for the Huskies. Boggio got her stick on the strong hit into the circle from senior forward Stephanie Casper, deflecting the ball past Friar goaltender Rachel Chamberlain.
The Huskies held Providence to three shots in the first half, and allowed just two penalty corners. Northeastern’s defense was the defining factor in the second half, shutting down the Providence offense. The Friars tallied three more shots in the second half, but only three shots on goal in the entire game.
Senior captain Liz Centofanti made three saves in her first shutout of the season. It was her fifth career shutout.
“Our defense did an unreal job of shutting down their offense,” Centofanti said. “All the credit for the shutout definitely goes to them.”
Of the Huskies’ eight shots, seven were on goal, forcing Chamberlain to be very active in net. She recorded six saves in the game.
This surge of offense for the Huskies penetrated the Friars defense, who held their opponents scoreless in their previous four games. The win brings Northeastern to 15-5-2 all-time against Providence.
The Husky defense allowed Providence only four penalty corners, which is an area they have focused on improving. Since the start of the season, Northeastern has given opponents a total of 45 penalty corners, including 10 in one game against Ball State Sept. 2.
“We had a couple of team meetings this week about turning things around,” Centofanti said. “We focused on what we needed to work on, and were really determined to come out with a win before heading into conference play.”
Boggio, who scored her first collegiate goal to give them the win, is one of three freshman to score for Northeastern so far this season. Redshirt freshmen forward Meg Sweeney netted one for the Huskies against Ball State, while midfielder Pam Aldridge scored twice this season.
So far, Northeastern has only faced non-conference opponents and will play its first Colonial Athletic Association game at William ‘ Mary Friday at 7 p.m. The Huskies are 5-2 all-time against the Tribe.
On Sunday, Sept. 23, the Huskies will face No. 14 Old Dominion in their second CAA game of the weekend. Last year, ODU ended Northeastern’s stint in the post season with a 7-0 win. The Lady Monarchs made it to the first round of the 2006 NCAA tournament, where they were upset by Princeton 3-2 in overtime.
The Huskies return to Sweeney Field Sunday, Sept. 30 to play New Hampshire at 2 p.m.
