Box Score Box score

The Huskies matched their highest offensive output of the season and Oliver Blum and the Northeastern defense kept a clean sheet as the Huskies defeated the Drexel Dragons at Parsons Field on Wednesday, 3-0.

Northeastern began the game with a different look on attack, with Don Anding getting the start at center forward in between Mike Kennedy and Josh Semerene across the top of the formation. Anding's speed and work rate up top proved to be a huge asset for the Huskies, as the junior spent most of the first half causing problems for the Drexel back four, chasing down passes and putting the defense under large amounts of pressure.

“Changing up Don from left back to center forward was a big boost,” said head coach Brian Ainscough. “We know he can do well up there. He was the one who caused headaches for everyone on their team and opened up everything for our other players.”

That pressure led to an exhilarating exchange of play as the game sparked to life in the 11th minute, with a breakaway at each end of the field within seconds of each other.

Anding stole the ball off the foot of a Drexel center back forty yards from goal and raced through, one-on-one with Dragon keeper Pentti Pussinen, only for Pussinen to turn away his shot with a brilliant save. The Drexel defense booted the ball upfield, away from danger, for Malcolm LeBourne to collect at midfield. LeBourne latched onto the long clearance and broke through the Husky defense, battling with Ambry Moss along the way. Blum raced off his line quickly as Moss applied back pressure, and made a fingertip save to keep LeBourne's effort out.

Despite giving up the breakaway, Northeastern had a strong grasp on proceedings fairly early on in the contest but wasted a couple of high-quality scoring chances. Dante Marini played a curling free kick into the box for an unmarked Moss, but the redshirt freshman put his header wide of the net from eight yards out. Next it was Marini's turn to spoil a good opportunity, shooting straight at Pussinen after running onto Kennedy's sweeping cross from the right flank.

The Huskies were building momentum and were rewarded for their efforts in the 36th minute. Top Phataraprasit, slotting in at left back, made a rare foray into an advanced position and sent in a high, arching cross to the back post. Kennedy headed the ball back across goal right into the path of the on-rushing Andre Ciliotta, who hit a sweet strike into the top corner to give Northeastern a 1-0 lead. For Ciliotta, the tally was his second of the year, and first since the opening game of the season against Providence.

Drexel tried to respond by putting Blum under large amounts of pressure on set pieces in the box, with bodies crowding the area, potentially making life difficult for the Husky keeper. Blum was equal to the challenge though, rising highest to collect any crosses that came his way and eliminating the Dragons' aerial threat.

The second half opened with Drexel trying to find a way back into the game, with LeBourne in particular looking dangerous for the Dragons. The Huskies were in need of fresh legs and Ainscough sent on Ricardo McDonald in the 72nd minute for a tiring Semerene. The substitution paid immediate dividends for Northeastern.

McDonald found himself with the ball near the end line and his back to goal. The forward made a great turn to beat two Dragon defenders and pulled the ball back for Marini at the top of the box. Marini's shot easily beat Pussinen for his seventh goal of the campaign, putting the Huskies up 2-0.

Northeastern continued its pressure, icing the contest six minutes later on Kennedy's fourth goal of 2011. Nikko Lara snuck a pass through a couple of Drexel players to Kennedy who crossed up his defender and cut across the top of the penalty area. The senior's powerful, low shot left Pussinen with no chance for a save, beating the keeper at his left post.

The win, Ainscough's 50th at Northeastern, brings the Huskies record to 9-5-2 (5-3-1 CAA) and pushes them up to third in the CAA, while the Dragons fall to 4-10-2 (3-5-1 CAA) with the loss. Northeastern remains undefeated at Parsons Field on the year, with only one home contest remaining, a crucial match-up in the playoff push with Old Dominion on Saturday at 6 p.m.

A replay of this game is available on GoNUxstream. GoNUxstream is free to all viewers and features live and on-demand video and audio broadcasts, as well as live game stats, and is accessible on PC and Mac computers, as well as on iPhones, iPads and Android phones.