Sunday evening at Matthews Arena the Northeastern Huskies and the
Harvard Crimson played a 2-2 draw.  It was an odd night in that both
teams' big skaters played below par.  In the end the support players
came through with the bigger plays in an evenly played match.
 
In the first period, AJ Mleczko (Holly Leitzes, Christa Calagione)
scored a shorthanded goal when she held unto the puck just long enough
to get her backhander off.  During the second period, Northeastern tied
the match when Keri-Anne Allan (Angela Scerra) drilled her slap shot
from the left point to the high corner of the net.  The third period
found the Crimson taking the lead again when Stacy Kellogg (Jenny
Duval) pulled off a turn and shoot in the slot, just after a four on
four situation.  The Huskies tied the game in the closing minutes when
they pulled their goalie during a power play to have a 6 on 4 set.
Bree Cheatham got the finally rebound into the net after a series of
quick shots, right from the face-off.  In overtime both teams had
chances, but neither team could score.
 
Harvard played very well as a team.  At times they found themselves
pinned back in their own end, but they always managed to eventually
find a way to get a partial break out.  The Crimson have had one of
their first-year players, L. Minkus leave the team, so they have a
very small squad.  Last night they played three lines, using a number
of player combinations.  They also only played 3 defenders.  That is
stupid, as it led to fatigue and penalties.  The woman of the match
for Harvard was Jenny Duval.  She has come a long way since she has
gotten ice time.  Her movement last night was extremely good.  Right
now the Crimson is getting by because of the job done by its support
players.  Ellen Frump providing nice setups, Kate Schutt fore-checking
well, and Lauren Turner, Diana Clark and Casi Walker skating their
roles are what has made a difference on this team.  Sure its great to
have the strong goaltending of Erin Villiotte, but what got a good
result against Northeastern was the development and efforts of those
players.  Finally, the answer to why I do not write about AJ Mleczko
is that in addition to her goon activities she has taken up melo-
dramatic diving.  That has hurt her own team and others and robbed
St. Lawrence of a win.  On my ratings sheets she is a minus player.
I think it proper to warn other teams and refs. that this junk is
unfortunately occurring.
 
Northeastern was missing their scoring leader Kim Haman.  Playing all
of their players on up to four lines and three defensive pairs, at
times the Huskies looked ready to take charge of the game.  Some of
the crossing pattern plays were executed in a lovely manner, but
wanted the telling pass.  It was a strange night, in that NU seemed
to be waiting to break out of it.  The woman of the match was first-
year defender Keri-Anne Allan.  Her excellent rushes along with good
strong defense were added to by her terrific shot from the blue line.
Defender Missi Werner also had a very good night breaking up plays
and laying on some of the better passes.  First-year defender Emily
Sweeney saw limited action, but again looked good.  The best line for
Northeastern was Dori Hoagland, Courtney King and Jessica Lien.  These
players are starting to hit stride.  Lien was particularly good on the
shorthanded team with Kelly Tapani.  Emily Pemrick saw time on the
first line and played a good aggressive style.  In goal the Huskies'
netminder Kim Flatt looked very strong.  She was standing up and
letting the puck hit her and in general looked in control of her
excellent game.  Overall, while the result was not what they wanted,
Northeastern showed a young team developing.
 
This weekends' games with emerging power Princeton should tell much
about where all three teams are.
 
 
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 good shooting
 rhun
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