By Danielle Ossher
Cross-town rivals Boston College topped the field hockey team 3-1 Saturday at Sweeney Field.
Despite the home field advantage, the Huskies were unable to capitalize on offensive opportunities, while the Eagles took advantage of their few chances.
“It was tough because we played a pretty decent game,” said senior goaltender Liz Centofanti. “We dominated possession of the ball for most of the game but didn’t capitalize on our opportunities. Boston College had three opportunities and they capitalized on all of them.”
Northeastern netted the first goal of the game 13 minutes in when senior forward Stephanie Casper converted a penalty corner. Senior captain Ashley Webber collected an assist, while Casper recorded her third goal of the season.
Just minutes later, the Eagles responded after being awarded a penalty corner. Senior midfielder Caitlyn Young netted the goal on a direct shot after a stick-stop set up by junior forward Kathleen Murphy and junior midfielder Katie Quaglia.
Five minutes later, BC struck again, giving them a 2-1 lead heading into half-time. Junior forward Bob Dirks scored the unassisted goal off a shot from the top of the circle.
After eight minutes of scoreless play in the second half, Boston College scored what would be the game-winning goal. Dirks netted her second goal of the game off a solid drive from the edge of the circle, bringing her to 11 this season and 41 all-time. Dirks is now tied for third on BC’s career goal list and second for all-time points with 98.
The Huskies came together in the ending minutes, putting together a late-game rally. However, the effort was not enough as Northeastern was unable to find the back of the net. In the 3-1 loss, the Huskies collected five shots on net to BC’s 11. The Eagles also lead in penalty corners, tallying six to Northeastern’s three.
Both netminders, Centofanti and junior Eagles goalie Julia Berkowitz, collected three saves during the game. Centofanti now has 73 saves on the season.
“We are just focused right now on coming away with two victories next weekend, and feeling good about our play coming into our last two games at home,” Centofanti said. “Right now these are must-win games for us because it’s conference play.”
The loss against BC leaves the Huskies 21-8-1 all-time against the Eagles, and marked the last of the Huskies’ six-game homestead, which they split. Northeastern is now 6-9, and ranked fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) with a 2-2 record.
The team, which faces only CAA opponents for the rest of the season, travels this weekend to face Drexel and Hofstra. Northeastern takes the field against Drexel at 7 p.m. Friday and Hofstra at 1 p.m. Sunday. The team then returns home the following weekend to play its last two games of the regular season.
