Senior Melissa Rowell made the most of her first career goal, scoring the game-winner off a penalty corner, to give Northeastern a 2-1 victory over James Madison at Showker Field at Bridgeforth Stadium.
The game was the season opener for both teams, which both qualified for the NCAA tournament last season. The Huskies finished last season ranked eighth in the country, while the Dukes were 12th.
"It was great to see our team step up and go right after a top 15 team and get a win," head coach Cheryl Murtagh said. "Our players jumped out right from the start and were aggressive and created opportunities. We're a young team and we're off to a good start."
Redshirt freshman Natalie Singelais gave NU the lead with an unassisted goal with 19:25 remaining in the first half. Singelais' goal was also a career first, as she made her Husky debut.
JMU answered 12 minutes later to knot the game at 1, when Dana Weaver scored from 11 yards out off a penalty corner.
Rowell, who came into the contest with two shots in her career, knocked in the game-winner with 24:46 left in regulation. Stick-stop Leigh Shea and Mari Creatini assisted on the tally.
The Huskies outshot the Dukes, 9-6, and held a 5-3 penalty corner advantage. Junior Diana Nelson picked up the win in goal with four saves.
NU travels to Charlottesville for a game against Virginia Monday night (7 p.m.).
Field Hockey Box Score (Final)
The Automated ScoreBook For Field Hockey
Northeastern vs James Madison (Aug 30, 2003 at Harrisonburg, VA)
Northeastern (1-0, 0-0 AE) vs. Goals by period 1 2 Tot
James Madison (0-1, 0-0 CAA) -------------------------------
Date: Aug 30, 2003 Attendance: 260 Northeastern........ 1 1 - 2
Weather: Sunny, hot and humid James Madison....... 1 0 - 1
Northeastern James Madison
Pos. # Player Sh SOG G A Pos. # Player Sh SOG G A
------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
G 77 Diana Nelson........ - - - - G 00 Lauren Hertzler..... - - - -
F 3 Sara Webber......... 1 - - - F 3 Casey Cahill........ 1 - - -
B 5 Leigh Shea.......... - - - 1 M 4 Lindsey Keller...... - - - -
F 9 Mari Creatini....... 1 - - 1 M 6 Dana Weaver......... 1 1 1 -
F 14 Natalie Singelais... 1 1 1 - F 8 Heidi Beck.......... - - - -
B 15 Melissa Rowell...... 2 1 1 - M 10 Baillie Versfeld.... 1 - - -
M 19 Jay Quinn........... - - - - F 11 Alissa Santanna..... - - - -
B 20 Alli Bolster........ - - - - F 12 Amy Cordes.......... 2 - - 1
B 21 Megan Troxel........ - - - - F 13 Janelle Perlis...... 1 - - -
B 22 Lauren Edelmeier.... - - - - B 17 Lindsay Coffman..... - - - -
F 24 Whitney Shean....... 1 - - - B 21 Carrie Smith........ - - - -
---------- Substitutes ---------- ---------- Substitutes ----------
4 Liane Dixon......... 3 - - - 2 Ashley Dowling...... - - - -
6 Ashley Webber....... - - - - 5 Valerie Cohen....... - - - -
16 Nicole DePace....... - - - - 9 Laura Pruett........ - - - -
18 Hollie DeCecco...... - - - -
Totals.............. 9 2 2 2 19 Kristen Sondermann.. - - - -
22 Nadine Bradley...... - - - -
Totals.............. 6 1 1 1
Northeastern James Madison
# Player MIN GA Saves # Player MIN GA Saves
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
77 Diana Nelson........ 70:00 1 4 00 Lauren Hertzler..... 70:00 2 3
Shots by period 1 2 Tot Saves by period 1 2 Tot
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Northeastern........ 5 4 - 9 Northeastern........ 3 1 - 4
James Madison....... 5 1 - 6 James Madison....... 2 1 - 3
Penalty corners 1 2 Tot Fouls 1 2 Tot
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Northeastern........ 3 2 - 5 Northeastern........ 0 0 - 0
James Madison....... 2 1 - 3 James Madison....... 0 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
GOAL Time Team ## Goal Scorer Assists
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. 15:35 NU 14 Natalie Singelais (1) Unassisted
2. 27:35 JMU 6 Dana Weaver (1) 12 Amy Cordes
3. 45:14 NU 15 Melissa Rowell (1) 5 Leigh Shea/9 Mari Creatini
