By Danielle Ossher
The field hockey team took home a 1-0 overtime win Sunday against Virginia Commonwealth to end its regular season play on a high note and secure the team a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Quarterfinals.
Families, friends and students celebrated the win, which came during Homecoming Weekend, and was also the team’s Senior Day. The six graduating players took to the home field for the last time in their collegiate career with support from cheering fans and teammates.
“On our team it’s a pretty big deal, Senior Day,” said senior captain and goaltender Liz Centofanti. “It still really hasn’t hit me yet that I’m a senior.”
Sunday’s game saw 70 minutes of scoreless play, with 14 Northeastern shots and eight from VCU. The Huskies created several great scoring opportunities, including a few breakaways, but all were stopped by the Rams’ defense.
Midway through the second half, the Huskies elevated their level of play, dominating the ball for the rest of regulation until ending the game seven minutes into overtime. Numerous steals while on offense allowed NU to keep the pressure on VCU and set up shots on net.
Only minutes into overtime, seven-on-seven sudden-death play, senior midfielder Ashley Webber got a breakaway, but her attempt to end the game was thwarted by VCU junior goaltender Brittany LoVullo.
Several close scoring chances later, senior forward Harriet Hoyer broke away at midfield. Hoyer fed wide-open junior midfielder Ashley Bascetta who was upfield on the right side. Bascetta carried the ball into the circle and immediately ripped a hard shot directly on net. The shot crossed the goal line, hitting the left side of the cage and ending the game.
Cetofanti tallied five saves in the win, and collected her second shutout of the season, while LoVullo stopped nine of 10 shots.
“I think our defense played very, very well in the game,” Centofanti said. “They did their part in helping me get [the shutout].”
The Huskies were awarded seven penalty corners to the Rams’ three, but neither team was able to capitalize on them.
The CAA Quarterfinals will begin Thursday, Nov. 1, at Virigina Beach. For the six seniors: Centofanti, Webber, Hoyer, midfielder Ashley D’Ambra, forward Stephanie Casper and goaltender Meaghan Dorsi, this means extending their final season with the team.
Sunday’s match was even more important for Northeastern after its 3-0 loss to James Madison Friday. Centofanti got the start in net, collecting seven saves before junior Colleen Duffy came in with 12 minutes to go.
The team, who moved up to fourth in the CAA, is now looking forward to the post season.
“Hopefully we are going to go in and play a complete game, come out with a win and advance to the next round,” Centofanti said. “Our goal going down to Virginia is to win the conference and go the NCAA tournament.”
