By Joe Rubin

The Northeastern women’s soccer team earned the first postseason berth in school history by defeating the Vermont Catamounts (4-15-0, 2-6-0 AE) 2-1, and blowing out Albany (4-13-1, 1-6-0 AE), 3-0.

The contest Sunday at Parsons Field had numerous ramifications. The Huskies could either go in and win, catapulting them into the playoffs, or lose and go home for the season. With only 2:28 passed, in the first half, Liz Dyjak crossed a corner kick to Jess Pfeifer, who headed the ball to Jen North. North scored on another skull shot, putting the ball into the net for an early 1-0 lead.

Just under fifteen minutes later, Jill Link assisted Dyjak with a cross in front of the Vermont goal. Her first shot was deflected, but Dyjak hustled for the rebound to tally the second goal for the Huskies.

“I think Vermont was surprised at how strong we came out,” commented NU head coach Ed Matz, “especially with such a young team.”

Though the Huskies dominated the first half, they lost some of their composure in the second.

Vermont understood the critical nature of the situation and entered the half ready to attack. Nikkie Hessney scored on a rebound after UVM senior Lauren Donagher rifled a shot at a prepared Cynthia Slowik. Hessney made the score 2-1, applying great pressure to NU’s postseason hopes.

Even though Meryl Carberry was back in the lineup, Sophomore Andi Matthews and junior Emily Haahr were still out, leaving a Husky defensive group littered with freshmen to handle the big-game pressure. Impressed by their play, Matz commended the tenacity of his troops, saying, “we have a very aggressive first year defense.”

The young Huskies in the end came together, coming out on top with a final score of 2-1. The victory clinched their spot in the America East playoffs in Hartford this Friday.

After destroying Albany 3-0 at Parsons Field on Friday night, the Huskies came one step closer to making the playoffs. Matz went into the game with the mind set of wanting “to play our pace and our style of soccer.”

Just past the halfway mark a wrecking ball made its way through the seam. It all started with an assist from Jess Pfeifer who lofted the ball to Liz Dyjak in front of the goal. She finished with a header into the Albany net.

Another goal would came just ten minutes later from Jill Link, who was assisted by Tanya Mello. Link drilled the ball slightly inside the right post past Albany goalie Beth Spinelli, sending the score to 2-0.

Jennifer North sealed the deal with her third goal of the game. Fillipa Petruccelli sent through a deep pass forcing Spinelli out of position. North sped down the field, beating the Albany keeper to the ball upping the score to 3-0.

“We wanted to come out strong tonight, in which I really think we did,” Matz said of the Huskies performance. “I thought that we had some really good chances early on and everyone played very well, I am very happy with our effort.”

The Huskies now look forward to their first America East playoff game against Hartford at home on Friday.

Matz, while confident in the team, stated, “We will have to play nearly mistake free soccer. Hartford was the seed that no one wanted to get.”

The Hartford Hawks are the defending America East champions.