With just over two minutes left in the first overtime, junior Sara Webber rocketed a shot off the leg of a UMass defender and into the net to lift the Huskies to a thrilling, 3-2, overtime victory at a rain-soaked Richard F. Garber Field.
The triumph was Northeastern's third straight in the rivalry and keeps the Huskies unbeaten (2-0), while UMass falls to 0-2 on the season.
After a scoreless first half, Webber helped give NU a 2-0 lead with assists on goals by senior Aleisha Bemis (39:23) and sophomore Mari Creatini (43:52).
However, the Minutewomen weren't going to cave in so easily. After UMass relinquished the Huskies' second goal, freshman Rachel Skorupski knocked in a rebound to cut NU's lead in half only 23 seconds after Creatini's score. UMass knotted the game in the 63rd minute with a goal by Caitlin Beresin.
The Huskies almost prevailed in regulation. With just less than five minutes remaining, NU peppered UMass junior goalkeeper Ashley Egland (11 saves) with three shots off a penalty corner, only to have Egland repel the attack.
The Huskies held a lopsided 21-3 penalty corner advantage, and outshot the Minutewomen, 22-15. Senior Emily Roy earned her second win of the season by turning away eight shots.
Both teams had scoring chances in the extra session, until Webber sent home the game-winner from 10 yards out.
Scoring
First Half:
None
Second Half:
NU, Aleisha Bemis (Sara Webber) 39:23
NU, Mari Creatini (Sara Webber) 43:52
UM, Rachel Skorupski (unassisted) 44:15
UM, Caitlin Beresin (Erika Whiston) 62:58
Overtime:
NU, Sara Webber (unassisted) 82:55
Shots
Northeastern, 22
Massachusetts, 15
Penalty Corners
Northeastern, 21
Massachusetts, 3
Saves
Northeastern, Emily Roy 8
Massachusetts, Ashley Egland 11
