Box Score Box score

The Northeastern Huskies defeated No. 7/8 Old Dominion on a snowy Saturday evening at Parsons Field, 2-0. Senior forward Josh Semerene scored both goals for the Huskies on Senior Day with assists from Don Anding, Dante Marini and fellow senior Mike Kennedy.

Northeastern started the game utilizing the same formation and squad that brought it success against Drexel in mid-week, with Don Anding once again started at center forward in between Mike Kennedy and Josh Semerene.

The Huskies started the first half off applying pressure on Old Dominion early, as they earned six corner kicks in the opening stanza and forced three saves from Monarch keeper Victor Francoz. Top Phataraprasit had the first quality look of the half for Northeastern when his stinging volley after a corner was palmed away well by the ODU keeper.

The Monarchs appeared to be struggling to adjust to the playing surface, as the rain and snow that had persisted throughout the day was making for slick turf in the first 45 minutes.

The Huskies continued applying pressure with Old Dominion only making periodic counter-attacks, but it was a counter-attack for Northeastern that almost opened the scoring in the contest.

Around the 30th minute, Don Anding latched onto a long clearance upfield on the left side. Anding beat his marker and turned into space, bursting through on goal with only Francoz to beat. The junior forward was into the penalty area in a flash and struck a low, driven shot from the left channel to the far post, but Francoz was down quickly and smothered the shot to keep the game scoreless.

Anding had another opportunity to give the Huskies the lead shortly before half-time but his clever back-heel flick from Kennedy's corner was just over the crossbar, sending the game into the break deadlocked at zero.

The second half of the match produced much more excitement as the two teams began to stretch the field. Old Dominion came out strong following the interval, applying pressure around the Husky penalty area, but the Monarchs were unable to create any real scoring chances from their possession.

With just over 30 minutes left to play the game jumped to life. Dante Marini collected the ball on the left and slid an inch-perfect ball to Anding in the left side of the box. Anding's one touch pass found Semerene in the middle of the area, and the senior turned the ball home with a low shot that snuck under Francoz, giving Northeastern the lead in the 57th minute.

For Semerene, the goal was his fourth of the year, but the senior was only getting started. Four minutes later, the forward was on the score sheet once more, doubling the Huskies' advantage in the process. Kennedy collected a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area and sent in a high cross to the top of the six. Semerene rose highest above a crowd of players and got his head to the ball, sending a towering header into the top corner of the net for his second of the night.

Old Dominion tried to respond after conceding two goals in short order and nearly found a way back into the contest when Chris Harmon unleashed a screaming shot from range. Oliver Blum, who made five saves on the night and recording his fifth shutout of the year, was equal to the task however, launching himself to his left and acrobatically palming away Harmon's effort.

Moments later, any hopes the Monarchs had of a comeback were dashed when Jordan LeBlanc was shown a straight red card for serious foul play. LeBlanc and Marini both went for a loose ball in midfield however LeBlanc's attempt to get the ball resulted in him diving into the tackle with both feet raised and studs showing, leaving the official no choice but to dismiss him from the contest in the 66th minute.

The Huskies saw out the remaining time in the match with relative ease as Old Dominion attempted to throw more players forward in attack but to no avail. With the win, Northeastern moves to 10-5-2 (6-3-1 CAA) and maintained its undefeated home record, while ODU drops to 11-4-0 (7-3-0 CAA) with the defeat.

The Huskies have one more regular season contest remaining, a road game against William & Mary on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m.

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