"It all has to do with heart," Broderick said, who was selected the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. "Everyone brought forth their best effort in every aspect of the game, whether it was passing, receiving, or communication. It was the ultimate overall team effort."

The seventh-ranked Huskies (17-4) won the championship for the eighth time in the 13-year history of America East and are now 20-4 in conference tournament play. With the victory comes an automatic berth to the NCAA tournament. It will be NU's 12th NCAA appearance. The Huskies reached the NCAA semifinals in 1988, 1995, and 1996. Maine fell to 15-4 and could receive an at-large bid, when the selections come out Wednesday.

The teams went into the break with zeros on the scoreboard. NU outshot the Black Bears, 6-0, in the first half and held a 6-1 penalty corner advantage. Maine's Holly Colberg made three nice saves to keep the Huskies silent.

After seven minutes of scoreless action to open the second half, Northeastern coach Cheryl Murtagh called a timeout and read the team the riot act. Forty-two seconds later the Huskies had a one-goal lead. Three minutes after that NU led 2-0. Two minutes after that the Huskies were up 3-0.

"I felt we were standing around and looking for the ball," Murtagh said. "Our strength is our passing game and ball movement and we needed to start making things happen. I really got emotional about it, because it was frustrating not to see this team fighting for what they deserve."

Sophomore Mari Creatini scored what proved to be the game-winner at 27:40. The Huskies ran a penalty corner set with Fior Arrindell taking the shot at the top of the circle and firing the ball to Liane Dixon in the low post. Dixon deflected the ball across the net to Creatini, who knocked it home.

At 24:24, junior Sara Webber was in the right place at the right time to blast home a rebound after Colberg made a nice save off a Liane Dixon shot.

Less than two minutes later with 22:13 remaining in the contest, Arrindell sent a pass to Broderick off a set penalty corner play. Broderick rocketed a shot into the back of the cage for a 3-0 lead. The tandem connected again at 16:16 on the same play with Broderick scoring her 10th goal of the season.

The Black Bears finally awakened from slumber with 10 minutes remaining and mounted an offensive attack. Just when it appeared the Maine was going to put a goal on the board, NU junior Melissa Rowell scooped the ball off the goal line for a defensive save. Senior Emily Roy made two saves of her own for her eighth shutout of the season and the team's 10th.

Arrindell, Broderick, Creatini and Roy were all named to the All-Tournament team.

The Huskies outshot Maine, 13-3, for the game and held a 12-3 penalty corner advantage.

Scoring
First Half:
No scoring

Second Half:
NU - Mari Creatini (Liane Dixon) 27:40
NU - Sara Webber (unassisted) 24:24
NU - Sarah Broderick (Fior Arrindell) 22:13
NU - Sarah Broderick (Fior Arrindell) 16:16

Shots
Maine, 3
Northeastern, 13

Penalty Corners
Maine, 3
Northeastern, 12

Defensive Saves
Maine, 0
Northeastern, 1

Saves
Maine, Holly Colberg 4; Colbey Smith 0
Northeastern, Emily Roy 2