BOSTON, Mass.—America East Defensive Player of the Year Kelly Williams supplied the offense as Northeastern University defeated University of Maine, 2-1, in the semifinals of the America East Championship at Sweeney Field. The top-seeded Huskies, 15-6, will meet the winner of this evening’s Boston University-University of Delaware game, in Sunday’s championship game at 2 p.m. at Sweeney Field.
Williams scored her third goal of the season off a penalty corner with 5:06 left in the second half to break a 1-1 tie. America East Offensive Player of the Year Sarah Broderick, who had given the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the first half, and Carley Cook assisted on the game-winner.
Broderick scored her 11th goal of the season with 20:12 left in the first half to break a scoreless tie. Jen Johnstone evened it for the Black Bears when she scored her 11th goal of the season on a penalty stroke with 24:53 left in the second half.
Emily Roy, who was making her sixth start of the year in the Northeastern net, made four saves for the Huskies, who were a perfect 9-0 vs. conference opponents during the regular season. Roy was the surprise choice in net by coach Cheryl Murtagh, who bypassed Kathleen Madaus, the first-team all-conference goalkeeper, who led America East with a 1.30 goals against average and a 10-6 record. Jaye Lance had 10 saves for the Black Bears, who finish the season at 10-8.
The Huskies will make their 11th title-game appearance in the 12-year history of the America East Championship, after failing to qualify for the four-team tournament last season. Northeastern has not won a conference championship since 1997, when the Huskies captured their fourth-straight title. Northeastern has six conference field hockey championships overall.
Maine (10-8) 0 1 -- 1
Northeastern (15-6) 1 1 -- 2
Scoring
First Half
NU—Sarah Broderick (11) (unassisted), 20:12 left
Second Half
UM—Jen Johnstone (11) (unassisted) , 24:53 left
NU—Kelly Willams (3) (Broderick, Carley Cook), 5:06 left
Shots: Maine 8, Northeastern 15
Saves: Maine (Jaye Lance, 10); Northeastern (Emily Roy, 4)
Penalty Corners: Maine 1, Northeastern 12
Freshman standout Leah Geib scored her second goal with 21:59 remaining to break a 1-1 tie and propel the University of Delaware to a 2-1 victory over Boston University in an America East Field Hockey Championship semifinal at Sweeney Field. The three seeded Blue Hens, 13-7, now move on to play Northeastern University in the championship game on Sunday, November 4, at 2:00 p.m. at Sweeney Field.
Geib scored the game-winner, deflecting a blast from teammate Juli Byrd over Terrier goalkeeper Susan Harrington, who finished the game with three saves. Geib’s two-goal performance now gives her 10 goals and 24 points on the year.
The two seeded Terriers, 8-11, had taken a 1-0 lead on a goal by All-Conference selection Felicia Cappabianca four minutes into the contest. The Terrier goal was assisted by freshman Merideth Long.
Delaware, which avenged a 2-1 loss to Boston University in last year’s semifinal match-up, enjoyed a 8-7 shot advantage and a 4-2 edge in penalty corners.
Delaware freshman goalkeeper Heidi Hibshman finished the game with two saves.
The winner of the Delaware-Northeastern final earns the conference automatic qualifier to the 2001 NCAA Championships.
Delaware (13-7) 1 1 -- 2
Boston University (8-11) 1 0 -- 1
Scoring
First Half
Boston University--Felicia Cappabianca (Merideth Long) 31:02
Second Half
Delaware--Leah Geib (unassisted) 10:46
Delaware--Leah Geib (unassisted) 21:59
Shots: Delaware 8, Boston University 7
Saves: Delaware (Heidi Hibshman, 2); Boston University (Susan Harrington, 3)
Penalty Corners; Delaware 4, Boston University 2