Cambridge, Mass. ? Three-time defending conference champion Northeastern University defeated the University of Maine 2-1 in semifinal action of the 2004 America East Field Hockey Championship to advance to the title game. The second-seeded Huskies move on to the championship game for the 14th time in the 15-year history of the event. Northeastern, which has won a conference-best nine America East Championships, will play the winner of this afternoon’s University of New Hampshire-Boston University game at 2 p.m. also at Jack Barry Field.

Northeastern’s penalty corner unit proved to be the difference maker for the Huskies, who are in search of a fourth-straight conference crown. Trailing 1-0 at the half, NU’s penalty corner trio of Lauren Edelmeier, Natalie Singelais and Whitney Shean tied the game at a goal a piece at the 40:24 mark and then netted the game-winning goal at 61:39. Edelmeier scored both goals off assists from Singelais and Shean.

Maine jumped out to an early 1-0 lead courtesy of Rachael Hilgar’s unassisted goal at 31:00. Northeastern would then dominate the rest of the contest as it outshot Maine 11-1 in the second half and did not allow a penalty corner for the entire second frame of action.

The Huskies have eliminated the Black Bears from postseason play the past four seasons and hold a 6-0 all-time playoff record versus Maine. With the victory, Northeastern improves to 16-3 on the year, while Maine’s season comes to a close with a 12-7 mark.

The America East champion earns the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Field Hockey Championship.

Scoring
MAINE-Rachael Hilgar (unassisted), 31:00
NU-Lauren Edelmeier (Natalie Singelais, Whitney Shean), 40:24
NU-Lauren Edelmeier (Natalie Singelais, Whitney Shean), 61:39

Shots
Maine: 11
Northeastern: 27

Penalty Corners
Maine: 4
Northeastern: 15

Saves
Maine: Jamie Morin (90:00, 11 saves)
Northeastern: Diana Nelson (90:00, 6 saves)