Box score

The Northeastern field hockey team captured its first CAA victory in dominating fashion by blanking William & Mary, 6-0, on Sunday afternoon at Sweeney Field. The Huskies responded with resiliency after suffering their first league setback on Friday afternoon, 2-0, against Old Dominion.

Second-year forward Crystal Poland led the charge for Northeastern thanks to a five-point outburst with a pair of goals and an assist. Junior Carolyn Malloy registered a goal and two assists while classmate Kaela Barker added a marker and a helper, as well.

Second-year netminder Lizzie Priest faced little resistance on Sunday's affair by stopping just three shots en route to her third shutout of the season.

The last time the Huskies defeated an opponent by six goals was against Harvard on Sept. 30, 2009 by a 6-0 decision, as well.

The first 15 minutes of the contest remained scoreless until the Huskies bombarded W & M goalkeeper Camilla Hill and netted three tallies in the span of approximately four minutes.

Senior Meg Sweeney potted her first goal of the season after corralling Poland's initial attempt at 16:19. Malloy followed suit by putting away a penalty corner with help from juniors Annie Clayman and Kaela Barker for her fifth of the year at 18:00. Barker finished off the first-half barrage at 20:33 on a nifty feed from Malloy for the quick 3-0 advantage.

Northeastern continued to apply heavy pressure in the second session with another three-goal spurt in roughly five and half minutes.

Poland discovered the back of the cage at 44:08 on a crafty one-timer pass in the box from Malloy before acquiring her team-leading sixth marker on an unassisted swat from inside the box.

Sophomore# Nicky Graham# slammed the door shut at 49:43 for Northeastern's sixth and final tally of the day. The North Vancouver, British Columbia native gathered the ball inside the box and beat Hill to close out the Huskies scoring.

Not only was Northeastern's offense clicking on all cylinders, but the Huskies' defense allowed only six total shots with only three finding the target.

Malloy and Poland directed NU's shooting efforts with four apiece while the Huskies target the Tribe's net 14 times. In regards to overall shooting, the Huskies put up 14 attempts to William & Mary's one shot.

With the victory, Northeastern rises to 5-5 and 1-1 in conference action. William & Mary slip to 2-7 and 0-1 in league play.

Following the two-game CAA weekend opener, the Huskies get a week break before welcoming in New Hampshire for a 2 p.m. tilt next Sunday at Sweeney Field.

A video replay of Northeastern victory against William & Mary along with any other home contest to date can be seen at GoNU.TV.