Junior Mari Creatini scored with 1:21 left in overtime to lift the 12th-ranked Huskies to a 1-0 victory over visiting Boston University in America East action at Sweeney Field Friday afternoon.
Creatini's goal, her 25th of the season, not only broke the scoreless tie, but also the Northeastern single-season goals record, which was previously held by Keri Bettenhauser (1997) and Kelly Wilk (1990). She leads the nation in both points (62) and goals (25).
"I just thought, 'Thank God it's over'. I hate overtime," said Creatini. "I was thinking more of winning the America East title than individual accomplishments."
In the waning minutes of the first overtime, senior Sara Webber dribbled the ball down the endline toward the BU goal, drawing defenders and Terrier goalie Erin Prediger (four saves) toward her as she neared the goal. Webber then craftily slid Creatini a pass in front of the goal and Creatini didn't waste any time knocking the ball into the back of the cage.
In overtime, BU almost ended the game immediately, but NU keeper Diana Nelson (four saves) made a point-blank save on Lindsey Domers shot and also turned away a shot off a rebound. The Huskies responded with a 2-on-1 breakaway with Liane Dixon and Singelais. Prediger made a nice save on Dixon's shot to the near corner.
In the first half, BU put two shots on the NU net, but Nelson came up with two kick saves to thwart the rush. At the break, the Huskies held a 3-2 penalty-corner advantage.
In the second half, the Huskies had the best scoring opportunities. With 16 minutes left in regulation, NU was awarded three straight penalty corners, but BU withstood the onslaught and kept the Huskies off the scoreboard.
With 2:30 left in regulation, sophomore Natalie Singelais stole the ball in the Terriers' end and went in on an uncontested breakaway. Prediger stood her ground and steered Singelais wide of the net. Singelais' shot sailed wide right of the cage.
At the end of regulation, NU held an 8-2 penalty-corner advantage.
Boston U. (8-8, 2-3 AE) vs. Goals by period 1 2 OT Tot
Northeastern (13-5, 4-0 AE) ----------------------------------
Date: Oct 24, 2003 Attendance: 357 Boston U............ 0 0 0 - 0
Weather: Cloudy, high 30's Northeastern........ 0 0 1 - 1
Boston U. Northeastern
Pos # Player Sh G A DS Pos # Player Sh G A DS
----------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------
G 84 Erin Prediger....... - - - - G 77 Diana Nelson........ - - - -
M 2 Genna Clough........ - - - - F 3 Sara Webber......... 2 - 1 -
M 4 Whitney Peabody..... - - - - F 4 Liane Dixon......... 2 - - -
F 5 Dalinda Banuelos.... 1 - - - B 5 Leigh Shea.......... - - - -
M 6 Erin Burke-Webster.. - - - - F 9 Mari Creatini....... 3 1 - -
M 7 Colleen McClay...... - - - - M 10 Sarah Eckhoff....... - - - -
M 8 Lindsey Domers...... 2 - - - B 15 Melissa Rowell...... 1 - - -
F 9 Kara Rossi.......... - - - - M 19 Jay Quinn........... - - - -
F 10 Natalie DiSabato.... 2 - - - B 20 Alli Bolster........ - - - -
B 12 Lauren Vendetti..... - - - - B 21 Megan Troxel........ - - - -
M 23 Celeste Hubbard..... 1 - - - B 22 Lauren Edelmeier.... - - - -
---------- Substitutes ---------- ---------- Substitutes ----------
3 Caitlyn Cassara..... - - - - 14 Natalie Singelais... 1 - - -
Totals.............. 6 0 0 0 24 Whitney Shean....... - - - -
Totals.............. 9 1 1 0
Boston U. Northeastern
# Player MIN GA Saves # Player MIN GA Saves
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
84 Erin Prediger....... 83:39 1 4 77 Diana Nelson........ 83:39 0 4
Shots by period 1 2 OT Tot Saves by period 1 2 OT Tot
---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Boston U............ 3 1 2 - 6 Boston U............ 0 2 2 - 4
Northeastern........ 0 4 5 - 9 Northeastern........ 2 0 2 - 4
Penalty corners 1 2 OT Tot
----------------------------------
Boston U............ 2 0 0 - 2
Northeastern........ 3 5 5 - 13
SCORING SUMMARY:
GOAL Time Team Goal Scorer Assists Description
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 83:39 NU Mari Creatini (25) Sara Webber
