BOSTON? Junior Liane Dixon scored two goals to lead two-time defending America East Champion Northeastern to a 3-1 win over Boston University in the semifinals of the conference field hockey championship at Sweeney Field. The top-seeded Huskies advance to the America East Championship game for the 13th time in the 14-year history of the event. Northeastern, which has won a conference-best eight America East championships, will play the winner of this afternoon’s New Hampshire-Maine game Sunday at 2 p.m. at Sweeney Field.

Dixon opened the scoring with 6:46 remaining in the first half when she collected a pass from the left side from Jay Quinn and beat Terrier goalkeeper Erin Prediger with a low shot. The Huskies, 16-5, increased the lead to 2-0 with 1:22 left in the half when Melissa Rowell dribbled in alone on Prediger and slid a low shot past the goalkeeper.

The fourth-seeded Terriers cut the lead to 2-1 just 1:30 into the second half when Whitney Peabody scored from in front after the initial penalty corner was stopped. Dalinda Banuelos and Lindsey Domers assisted on the goal.

Dixon gave the Huskies an insurance goal with 14:08 left when she was set up after a rush by Mari Creatini, the nation’s leading scorer. Creatini’s assist gave her 70 points in 21 games this season.

Diana Nelson made one save for the Huskies, who enjoyed a 9-2 advantage in shots. Prediger made six saves for the Terriers, who close the season at 9-11.

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

For the latest America East Championship coverage, log on to AmericaEast.com.

SCORING
Northeastern?Liane Dixon-10 (Jay Quinn), 28:14
Northeastern?Melissa Rowell-8 (unassisted), 33:38
Boston University?Whitney Peabody-2 (Dalinda Banuelos, Lindsey Domers), 36:30
Northeastern?Dixon-11 (Mari Creatini), 55:52

SHOTS
Boston U.: 2
Northeastern: 9

PENALTY CORNERS
Boston U.: 5
Northeastern: 9

SAVES
Boston U.: Erin Prediger (70:00, 6 saves)
Northeastern: Diana Nelson (70:00, 1 save)