Box Score

STORRS, Conn. – Northeastern field hockey, charged with visiting the third seed in the 2012 NCAA Field Hockey Tournament, more than lived up to the challenge provided, but in the end, it was the Huskies donning the navy and white of University of Connecticut who came away with the 2-1 double overtime victory. NU was without its all-time leading scorer, Crystal Poland, who was sidelined with an injury, but the Huskies hardly lacked in intensity.

Northeastern got on the scoreboard first, for the 14th time this season, behind a great team play following a penalty corner. Lindsay Bennett inserted the ball and Nicky Graham stopped to supposedly set up for Kate Carlson. But Carlson faked a shot, allowing the ball to fall in Deirdre Duke's possession. The freshman wasted no time, rocketing the ball passed UConn's Sarah Mansfield for the first goal of the game. The score was the CAA Rookie of the Year's 14th of the season and gave NU confidence and a nice cushion against a formidable team.

It was evident early, however, that Northeastern's senior goaltender, Lizzie Priest, was going to have a game to remember. UConn peppered the Northeastern cage often, starting midway through the first half. Priest, faced with back-to-back corners early, made two memorable saves that kept UConn off the scoreboard. Christine Tase, a senior back, stepped up as well in that sequence, earning her fourth defensive save of the season in a crucial situation. Priest would finish with a season-best 12 saves on the day.

Following that development, Northeastern earned back-to-back corners of its own, but couldn't convert. But the Huskies would take the 1-0 lead over the third seed into the locker rooms. The first half was quiet compared to what the second half would bring.

NU had a great opportunity to open the second half when Caroline Judge fed the ball along the baseline into play, but the circle was void of any Huskies on the attack. UConn then took possession and made it count -- but not before Northeastern asserted its defensive prowess.

UConn earned what amounted to be five corners, all in a row, but the Red and Black's backs and Priest played every shot perfectly. In that sequence, what was undoubtedly NU's finest defensive performance of the year, Priest had six saves and the defense blocked four shots to prevent a UConn score.

Needing a breath, NU's Huskies called a timeout at 13:03, but UConn came out determined to score. After earning their 10th corner of the day, the home Huskies finally squeezed one by Priest and the defense, evening things up at 1-1 with just 10:15 left in regulation. UConn kept the pressure on high in the remainder of the half, but couldn't seal it.

One overtime wasn't enough for the two squads, though. Into the second overtime, Northeastern had a couple of chances for a score, including when Duke and senior Emily Norell were the duo on a 2-on-1 fastbreak. A UConn defender, however, came out of nowhere to poke the ball out from underneath Duke's feet, quelling the NU attack. Not long after, Kate Carlson sent in a hard-liner from outside the circle, and Mansfield, as is standard protocol, let the ball go. But instead of drifting out of bounds, the ball ricocheted off the pipe and bounced back into the circle. With everyone thinking the ball would fly out, though, no one was in position to shoot.

After UConn called its timeout with 11:14 left, the Huskies in navy took advantage of an NU misstep and continued on a fastbreak into the circle. After a shot saved by Priest, UConn's Vicky Arthur grabbed the rebound and sent home the game-winner, advancing Connecticut into the Second Round, ending Northeastern's season all in one shot. When all was said and done, UConn led in both offensive categories, 30-7 in shots and 14-5 in penalty corners.

Northeastern's season ends with the Huskies holding a 14-7 record, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the 16th time under head coach Cheryl Murtagh.