BROOKLINE, MA - Northeastern defeated the New Hampshire Wildcats 3-1 Sunday night at Parsons Field to earn its fourth straight win and improve to 4-1 in the America East conference.
Senior forward Petter Starnas started off the scoring for the Huskies in the 17th minute of the first half. Midfielder Anders Hoyem sent a perfect through ball to Starnas in the box, but New Hampshire keeper Shaun O'Neil charged off his line to cut off the pass, sliding into and taking out Starnas in the process. Starnas was awarded a penalty kick on the foul, which he converted to put the Huskies up 1-0. Nate Houghton added a second goal for NU in the 42nd minute of play, heading in an Antha Kirkopoulos free kick. Houghton's goal was his third of the weekend, all three coming off headers. Starnas struck again for the Huskies early in the second half, blasting in a shot from 12 yards out to put NU up 3-0. Kirkopoulos set up Starnas on the goal, earning his second assist of the night. The Huskies were on the offensive for most of the game, however, the momentum switched in the 59th minute when Wildcat defender Brendan Hankard headed in a Doug Lawyer cross from 5 yards out to put UNH on the board. NU went on the defensive after the goal and keeper Allan Lewis made a couple key saves down the stretch to keep the Wildcats from getting any closer. Lewis had three saves in net for the Huskies while O'Neil recorded seven for UNH. The Husky defense held the Wildcats to six shots, five of which were in the second half. NU had 21 shots in the game.
Scoring
First Half
NU - Petter Starnas (penalty kick), 17:00
NU - Nate Houghton (Antha Kirkopoulos), 42:28
Second Half:
NU - Petter Starnas (Antha Kirkopoulos), 52:32
UNH - Brendan Hankard (Doug Lawyer), 59:20
Shots
New Hampshire, 6
Northeastern, 21
Corner Kicks
New Hampshire, 3
Northeastern, 8
Fouls
New Hampshire, 14
Northeastern, 7
Saves
New Hampshire, Shaun O'Neil, 7
Northeastern, Allan Lewis, 3