Junior Mari Creatini scored three goals to power 10th-ranked Northeastern past Maine, 4-0, and tie the Husky single-season goals record in America East action at Sweeney Field Saturday.
“I'm really happy how the team pulled together,” said NU coach Cheryl Murtagh. “The team made a commitment and came out with intensity and made some great decisions on the field. We moved well off the ball, had good passing game with good possession, and played well defensively, taking away Maine's transition game.”
Creatini, who leads the nation in points (60) and goals (24), scored three or more goals for the fifth time this season, as Northeastern improved to 12-5 overall and 3-0 in the conference. The Black Bears fall to 11-4 and 2-1.
“I just play,” said Creatini. “I don't think about the individual accomplishments. I'm happy as long as the team's winning.”
The Huskies jumped on the board 10 minutes into action when Creatini knocked in a pass from Jay Quinn at 9:55. Senior Leigh Shea started the play with a free hit just outside the circle. Shea sent a pass to Quinn, who dribbled around a defender and slid a pass to Creatini in the low post for the score.
NU upped its lead to 2-0 three minutes later with a strike from senior Sara Webber, who stopped a loose ball in the Maine circle then rocketed inside the far post from 15 yards out.
After the first five minutes of action, the Huskies controlled the action and pressured the Black Bears in their end throughout the half. NU held a 6-1 shot advantage and 5-1 edge in penalty corners at the break.
Creatini added an insurance goal eight minutes into the second half. She took a pass from Shea off a free hit, dribbled through two defenders, then blasted a shot from 18 yards out that echoed off the backboard at 42:59.
“Mari was on the run and took the shot off the wrong foot,” said Murtagh. “That's tough for a goalie because you don't expect it.”
With 3:27 left in the game, the Huskies were awarded a penalty stroke. Creatini converted the stroke with a shot into the lower left corner for her fifth hat trick of the season.
The shutout was Northeastern's fifth of the season.
“We're traditionally known for being a strong defensive team, and it's nice to see our offense clicking so well this year,” said Murtagh. “We have a lot of weapons and it opens up a lot of opportunities.”
Northeastern outshot Maine 11-1 and had a 12-1 penalty-corner advantage for the game.
Maine (11-4, 2-1) vs. Goals by period 1 2 Tot
Northeastern (12-5, 3-0) -------------------------------
Date: Oct 18, 2003 Attendance: 287 Maine............... 0 0 - 0
Weather: Partly cloudy, high 50's Northeastern........ 2 2 - 4
Maine Northeastern
Pos. # Player Sh G A Pos. # Player Sh G A
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
G 42 Jaye Lance.......... - - - G 77 Diana Nelson........ - - -
F 4 Emily Dooling....... - - - F 3 Sara Webber......... 4 1 -
F 5 Karly Bundy......... - - - F 4 Liane Dixon......... - - -
B 6 Meagan Connolly..... - - - B 5 Leigh Shea.......... - - -
F 8 Jana Ouellette...... - - - F 9 Mari Creatini....... 4 3 -
F 9 Rachael Hilgar...... - - - M 10 Sarah Eckhoff....... - - -
M 10 Amie Dubois......... - - - B 15 Melissa Rowell...... 1 - -
B 12 Liz Mendell......... - - - M 19 Jay Quinn........... 2 - 1
B 13 Rebecca Ouellet..... - - - B 20 Alli Bolster........ - - -
F 22 Traci Rainone....... - - - B 21 Megan Troxel........ - - -
B 23 Karyn Magno......... 1 - - B 22 Lauren Edelmeier.... - - -
---------- Substitutes ---------- ---------- Substitutes ----------
2 Shaunessy Saucier... - - - 14 Natalie Singelais... - - -
18 Katie Flaherty...... - - - 16 Nicole DePace....... - - -
24 Kristen Costa....... - - - 23 Joy Earley.......... - - -
25 Kasey Spencer....... - - - 24 Whitney Shean....... - - -
39 Jamie Morin......... - - -
Totals.............. 11 4 1
Totals.............. 1 0 0
Maine Northeastern
# Player MIN GA Saves # Player MIN GA Saves
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
42 Jaye Lance.......... 53:27 3 2 77 Diana Nelson........ 70:00 0 0
39 Jamie Morin......... 16:33 1 2
Shots by period 1 2 Tot Saves by period 1 2 Tot
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Maine............... 1 0 - 1 Maine............... 2 2 - 4
Northeastern........ 6 5 - 11 Northeastern........ 0 0 - 0
Penalty corners 1 2 Tot Fouls 1 2 Tot
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Maine............... 1 0 - 1 Maine............... 0 0 - 0
Northeastern........ 5 7 - 12 Northeastern........ 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
GOAL Time Team ## Goal Scorer Assists
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 9:55 NU 9 Mari Creatini (22) 19 Jay Quinn
2. 13:18 NU 3 Sara Webber (6) Unassisted
3. 42:59 NU 9 Mari Creatini (23) Unassisted
4. 66:33 NU 9 Mari Creatini Penalty shot
