BOSTON, Mass.—America East Offensive Player of the Year Sarah Broderick’s goal broke a 1-1 tie as Northeastern University defeated University of Delaware, 4-1 at Sweeney Field to win its seventh America East Field Hockey Championship. The top-seeded Huskies, 16-6, earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship. It will mark the 11th trip to the NCAA Tournament for Northeastern.
Broderick scored her 12th goal of the season with 5:30 left in the first half off an assist from Championship Most Outstanding Player Kelly Williams.
Delaware, 13-8, had taken a 1-0 lead on a goal by Kim Wagaman with 9:41 left in the first half. But the lead was short-lived as America East Rookie of the Year Liane Dixon evened it with her 12th goal of the season 35 seconds later.
Sophomore Sara Webber had two second-half goals for the final margin.
Emily Roy made six saves in the Northeastern net. Heidi Hibshman had three saves for the Blue Hens.
The Huskies won their seventh America East title in the 12-year history of the conference championship, but their first since 1997, when Northeastern captured its fourth-straight title.
Delaware (13-8) 1 0 -- 1
Northeastern (16-6) 2 2 -- 4
Scoring
First Half
UD—Kim Wagaman (5) (unassisted), 9:41 left
NU—Liane Dixon (12) (Fior Arrindell), 9:06 left
NU—Sarah Broderick (12) (Kelly Williams), 5:30 left
Second Half
NU—Sara Webber (5) (Broderick) , 28:06 left
NU—Webber (6) (Broderick), 4:16 left
Shots: Delaware 7, Northeastern 11
Saves: Delaware (Heidi Hibshman, 3); Northeastern (Emily Roy, 6)
Penalty Corners: Delaware 7, Northeastern 7
All-Championship Team: Susan Harrington, Boston University; Casey Holman, Boston University; Morgan Brady, Maine; Jen Johnson, Maine; Kate Johnson, Delaware; Jenn Fotiou, Delaware; Juli Byrd, Delaware; Sara Webber, Northeastern, Fior Arrindell, Northeastern; Sarah Broderick, Northeastern; Kelly Williams, Northeastern (Most Outstanding Player).