Junior Phonethip Ketnouvong scored the game-winning goal off a pass from junior defender Ben Collins just 2:10 into overtime as the Huskies came from behind twice to edge Towson 3-2 in a key America East game at Towson, Md.

NU guaranteed a bid in the four-team America East playoffs, which begin Nov. 4-5. It is the first time in school history that the Huskies have made the playoffs two straight seasons. Towson knocked visiting NU out in the semifinals last year.

The Tigers jumped out to a 1-0 lead at the 21:50 mark when Frank Thorbjornsen scored the first goal of his college career on a header off a corner kick by Todd Lauber. The scored remained 1-0 Towson at the half.

NU tied the game in the 55th minute on Petter Starnas' header off a cross from Ketnouvong. Lauber was fouled in the box just three minutes later and put the Tigers ahead 2-1 on a penalty kick.

Starnas pulled the Huskies even again, however, as he netted his team-high ninth goal of the season off a deflected shot by Oumar Thiam, who was credited with an assist.

The Tigers had won 12 straight games over America East opponents at home, dating back to a 6-1 loss to Boston University on Nov. 2, 1997. NU had lost four straight to Towson.

The Huskies will host a semifinal game next weekend with a win over Delaware in the regular season finale on Sunday at Newark, Del. (1 p.m.). NU can also win its first-ever regular season title if Vermont loses to Hartford on Saturday and the Huskies win Sunday.

SCORING:

1st Half:
Towson - Frank Thorbjorsen (Todd Lauber), 21:50

2nd Half:
NU - Petter Starnas (Phonethip Ketnouvong), 55:05
Towson - Lauber (unassisted), 58:15
NU - Starnas (Oumar Thiam), 63:04

Overtime:
NU - Ketnouvong (Ben Collins), 92:50

SHOTS:
Northeastern - 15
Towson - 9

CORNERS:
Northeastern - 5
Towson - 5

SAVES:
Northeastern - Allan Lewis, 2
Towson - Chris Hurley, 6