No. 19 University of Maine extended their winning streak against Northeastern University to four games, coming away with an exciting 4-3 overtime victory on fourth-year midfielder Sydney Veljacic’s first goal of the year. The Black Bears improved to 7-2, while the Huskies dropped to 4-4.
The Huskies opened the scoring 14:55 in, as redshirt third-year forward Jamie Bartucca put one in to take the 1-0 lead. This was Bartucca’s third goal on the season.
About three and a half minutes later at 18:26, second-year back Samantha Wagg tied it up at 1-1, assisted by first-year forward Brianna Ricker and second-year back Ella Mosky. This was Wagg’s sixth goal on the season.
Northeastern would take the lead right back at 19:50 of the half, as second-year forward Laura MacLachlan scored to make it 2-1, assisted by fourth-year midfielder Natalie Stewart and second-year forward June Curry-Lindahl. This was MacLachlan’s fourth goal on the season.
The scoring would continue at 24:43 of the half, as second-year midfielder Lydia Gavner scored to tie the game again, assisted by fourth-year forward Danielle Aviani. This was Gavner’s third goal on the season.
After the first half, Maine finished with 10 shots and six on goal, while Northeastern had seven shots and six on goal.
Redshirt third-year Emma Cochran started in goal for the Black Bears, while fourth-year goaltender Becky Garner started for the Huskies. Cochran made four saves in the half and Garner had three, with a team save from Northeastern.
During halftime, Northeastern hosted their first annual Celebration of Legends by honoring the 20th anniversary of their back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances of the 1995-1996 teams.
The Huskies took the lead back at 49:23 of the game, as redshirt third-year forward Jamie Bartucca scored a second time to make it 3-2. This was Bartucca’s fourth goal on the season.
Less than five minutes later at 54:03, third-year forward Madison Cummings tied it at 3, the third time Maine had done it the game. This was Cummings’ 11th goal on the season.
The game would not be decided in regulation, as it headed to overtime. Maine finished the second half with eight shots and six on goal, while Northeastern had seven shots with four on goal. Cochran made three saves and Garner had five.
Just 42 seconds into the extra frame, fourth-year midfielder Sydney Veljacic scored to give Maine an enthralling 4-3 victory. This was Veljacic’s first goal on the season.
The Black Bears had two shots with both on goal in the overtime period and the Huskies were not able to get a chance. Garner made one save before the game-winning goal.
Maine returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 25 on the road at 2 p.m. against Harvard University. Northeastern University plays next on Sunday, Sept. 25 at home at 2 p.m. against the University of New Hampshire.
Field Hockey Falls to Harvard
No. 19 University of Maine tried to continue their head-to-head dominance against Harvard, having won six of the seven contests in the all-time series. The Black Bears could not muster much offense, losing the affair 3-1. They dropped to 7-3, while the Crimson improved to 4-4.
Maine saw themselves surrender the first goal of the game again, as Harvard opened the scoring 19:20 into the first half. First-year forward Maddie Earle put one in and was assisted by fourth-year forward Marissa Balleza. This was Earle’s second goal on the season.
Most of the half consisted of a fierce defensive battle between the two teams and Maine went into halftime with a one-goal deficit. The Black Bears finished with four shots and three on goal, while the Crimson had seven shots with six on goal.
Cochran started for the Black Bears, while second-year goalie Libby Manela started for the Crimson. Cochran made four saves in the half and Manela made three. Maine also added a team save.
In a surprising non-move, Maine Head Coach Josette Babineau decided not to insert her other goalie into the game, redshirt third-year Emily Corbett. She opted to stay with Cochran and this was the second straight game that the goaltenders were not changed, which are the first such occurrences this season.
Just 3:04 into the second frame, Harvard doubled their lead to 2-0 when Balleza scored, assisted by second-year forward Kathleen Young. This was Balleza’s fifth goal on the season.
The Crimson added on once again at 43:39 of the game, as first-year midfielder Bente van Vlijmen scored, assisted by third-year midfielder Ellie Cookson and fourth-year midfielder Kyla Cordrey. This was van Vlijmen’s third goal on the season.
With two minutes remaining in the game, the Black Bears finally got on the board. Aviani scored, assisted by Veljacic. This was Aviani’s second goal on the season.
It was too little too late for Maine and they were unable to score more than once even though they had more total shots than Harvard.
The Black Bears finished the second half with 10 shots and four on goal, while the Crimson had three shots, all three being on goal. Cochran made one save and Manela made three.
Maine returns to action on Friday, Sept. 30 on the road at 7 p.m. against the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Harvard University plays next on Thursday, Sept. 29 on the road at 6 p.m. against Boston University.
