Box score

Post game with Cheryl Murtagh

Behind dominating possession play and high-pressure defense, Northeastern field hockey ground out a 1-0 win over Harvard at Sweeney Field.  Senior Kaela Barker netted the winner to extend the Huskies' winning streak to four games.

The Huskies controlled proceedings from the off and nearly put their noses in front in the first minute when junior Crystal Poland put senior Carolyn Malloy through on goal.  Malloy's shot found the left pad of Harvard goalkeeper Cynthia Tassopoulos, and though Malloy's rebound effort had Tassopoulos beaten, Christy Haughey was there to clear it off the line for the Crimson.

Later in the half junior Allison Conti played a deft long ball for junior Nicky Graham, who streaked unchecked down the left wing and found herself in on goal, but her centering pass from a tight angle could not find a Husky stick.

Northeastern finally put themselves ahead after 25 minutes.  Off a set piece from a penalty corner, Conti set up Barker, whose blast from ten yards out appeared to be heading wide right, but caromed off a Harvard defender and over the line to put Northeastern ahead.  The goal was Barker's third of the campaign.

The Huskies nearly doubled their advantage just before the half, but Poland's shot off a corner struck the left post, and Tassopoulos saved Lindsay Bennett's try off the the rebound.

The second half offered more of the same, with Northeastern controlling the pace of the game and allowing very little in the way of a Crimson attack.  Conti once again played in Graham along the left wing in the 38th minute, but Tassopoulos was up to the task.  A few minutes later, Malloy broke free and found Graham in front, and again Tassopoulos was wise to the play, coming off her line to cut off any shooting angle.  Tassopoulos was the star for the Crimson, stopping 18 Northeastern shots and enduring an offensive barrage from Northeastern, who outshot Harvard, 33-8.

Offensive chances were few and far between for Harvard, but they made a last-ditch effort at an equalizer in the final minute.  Rachel Rosenfeld gained position in the right corner, but her try at a centering pass was cut out by senior Beth Cobby, who marshaled the Huskies' back line all afternoon.

Junior Lizzie Priest went relatively untroubled in net but was perfect when called upon, recording six saves and her ninth career shutout.

Northeastern has now won four games in a row, all during their current five-game homestand, and is unbeaten at home in five games.  The Huskies wrap up the homestand this Friday, Oct. 14, with a 2 p.m. tilt against No. 9/15 Boston College at Sweeney Field.