NCAA Tournament First Round
When	Saturday, Nov. 15  |  2 p.m.
Where	Boston, Mass.  |  Nickerson Field  |  Directions
Broadcast and stats	Live: Stats  |  Video
Tickets and Info	Ticket Info  |  Bracket
Promotions	Free shuttles
Notes	Northeastern (PDF)
Social media	@GoNUwsoccer facebook.com/GoNUwsoccer  |  RSVP on Facebook instagram.com/GoNUathletics Use #GoNU

BOSTON -- Fresh off a second straight CAA championship, the Northeastern women's soccer team (14-4-3) will look for its first-ever NCAA tournament win when it travels to Nickerson Field for a first round bout with rival Boston University (14-4-3) on Saturday at 2 p.m. The teams met earlier this season at BU with the Huskies emerging victorious, 1-0, courtesy of a late Bianca Calderone goal.
 
Huskies in the NCAA tournament
Northeastern is making its third appearance in the NCAA tournament this season after previously receiving bids in 2008 and 2013. The Huskies advanced to the NCAA second round in 2008 after defeating Harvard, 3-1, in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw. Northeastern then fell, 4-0, to Boston College in the second round. Last season, NU faced BC once again and dropped a 2-0 decision in Chestnut Hill. Northeastern's all-time NCAA tournament record stands at 0-2-1.
 
Last time they met
Northeastern defeated Boston University, 1-0, on Sept. 14 at Nickerson Field. Senior Bianca Calderone scored the game's only goal in the 85th minute, sweeping home a Breeana Koemans corner kick from the center of the box. Both teams registered six shots, while NU held a 9-1 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Defense wins championships
The Huskies' shutdown defense has played a huge role in the team's success in 2014. Northeastern has allowed just six goals in 21 games this year, and has posted 16 shutouts, which ranks second in the NCAA (Wisconsin, 17). The Huskies' 0.273 goals against average also ranks second in the nation, while the team's .880 save percentage ranks seventh overall.
 
Back-to-back CAA champs
Northeastern won its second straight CAA title with a 2-0 victory over No. 3 seed Hofstra on Nov. 9 at Parsons Field. The Huskies, who won the 2013 championship as well, became the first CAA team to win back-to-back conference titles since William & Mary in 2000-01. In addition, Northeastern is just the fifth team in CAA history to win a tournament title (2013), followed by a regular season title (2014), followed by another tournament title (2014).
 
A season for the ages
Northeastern set a single-season program record with its 14th victory of the year on Nov. 9 vs. Hofstra. The Huskies have also smashed the previous single-season record for most shutouts in a year (8) with 16 clean-sheets in 2014. In addition, Paige Burnett's 15 shutouts are eight better than Stephanie Gordon's previous single-season record of seven clean-sheets (2008).
 
Top dogs
Northeastern is ranked No. 1 in the NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Poll for the third straight week. The Huskies have been ranked in the region for nine consecutive weeks, including four weeks at No. 2, before ascending to the top spot on Oct. 28. Boston University moved up to No. 2 in the most recent poll after beating Colgate for the Patriot League title last weekend.
 
Dowd does it all
Sophomore defender Mackenzie Dowd has been a force on both sides of the ball this season. The right-back leads the Huskies with seven goals and has been an integral member of a defense that ranks No. 2 in the nation in both goals against average and shutouts. Dowd has started all 21 games and was named Second-Team All-CAA and the Most Outstanding Player of the CAA tournament.

Playing with the lead
Out of a possible 1,981 minutes this season, Northeastern has trailed for a combined total of just under 111 minutes, or 5.6-percent of the entire season. The Huskies trailed for the final 54:26 against No. 25 Boston College on Sept. 3, which marks the longest consecutive period of time in which NU has been behind in any game this season. Northeastern is 10-0-0 this season when leading at halftime, compared to 4-4-3 when tied or trailing.
 
Chances from the corner
Northeastern has out-cornered its opponents by a 139-48 margin this season. The Huskies have attempted more corners than their adversaries in all but three games (BC, Dartmouth, Hofstra), and have held opponents to one corner or less in 12 of 21 matches. Northeastern is 14-1-3 this season when attempting more corners than its opponent.
 
View from the top
Senior goalkeeper Paige Burnett is the NCAA's active career leader in minutes played with 7,687. Burnett has played 177 more minutes than UCLA GK Katelyn Rowland, who ranks second with 7,510 career minutes played. A four-year starter, Burnett has played in 82 games in her collegiate career and owns a 36-32-12 record. Burnett ranks fifth nationally among active keepers with 29 career shutouts, including 15 in 2014.

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