Field Hockey Falls to Northeastern, 2-0, in CAA Semifinal

Friday, November 8

Newark, Del.

7:00

Drexel University

(13-7)

Northeastern (CAA Semifinals)

(8-12)

Northeastern

DREXEL

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Field Hockey Falls to Northeastern, 2-0, in CAA Semifinal

11/8/2013 8:54:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. – After a tightly contested game, the Drexel field hockey team was unable to match Northeastern's late two-goal run in the final half of the Colonial Athletic Association semifinal on Friday at Delaware's Rullo Stadium. The Dragons and Huskies played even on both ends of the field throughout the first half until opposing forward Kelly Dunn broke the scoreless tie in the 44th minute of the contest. Drexel finished the year 13-7 overall and went 4-2 in conference play.

The 16th minute of the first half, Northeastern drew the game's first penalty corner. The Huskies Emmy Zweserijn's shot sailed high just over Jantien Gunter's extended stick continuing towards the cage. Senior co-captain Kristen Focht batted down the ball before junior back Allyson Fuller blocked the ball from breaking through the goal line to keep the game knotted at zero.

Less than four minutes later, senior co-captain Lindsay McArdle answered back and earned the Dragons' first attacking penalty corner. Freshman Jessica McCarthy took the direct hit, however, her shot was blocked by opposing goalkeeper Becky Garner and cleared out of the circle by the Huskie's Zoe Kale.

With seven minutes showing on the clock, Northeastern earned its second penalty corner. Gunter made a kick save and cleared the ball towards the left sideline. In the last minute of the half, Elise DiDonato broke past the Huskies' defenders earning a fast-break entering the circle. Northeastern's goalkeeper slid out and blocked DiDonato's shot to preserve the scoreless tie.

In the opening five minutes of the second half, the Dragons and Huskies each tallied shots on goal. Fuller took a hard shot from outside the circle that was turned away by Garner. Northeastern worked the ball down the right sideline and sent a cross ball that was tipped away from entering just inside the post by Gunter.

In the 25th minute-marker, the Dragons tested Northeastern's defense with two shots on goal, however, were unable to put points on the board. At 21:38, the Huskies' Natalie Stewart carried the ball into the left side of the circle before crossing the ball to teammate Kelly Dunn, who's shot bounced just under Gunter's kicker into the left corner of the cage.

At 17:42, Northeastern tallied its third penalty corner of the night. The Huskies' Emmy Zweserijn scored off a direct hit from stopper Caroline Judge's forward pass extending the lead to two-points, 2-0. The Huskies held on to the lead until the game clock expired despite Drexel's offensive pressure in the final minutes of play.

Drexel's Elise DiDonato led the attack with three shots. Lindsay McArdle and Jessica McCarthy also tallied two shots each during the Dragons' offensive push inside Northeastern's circle. Defensively, Jantien Gunter posted two stops combining for 102 saves on the season. On the year, the Dragons outshot their opponents, 40-30, and held a 125-99 advantage in penalty corners.