Saturday afternoon at Matthews, the Huskies of Northeastern defeated the Yale
Bulldogs 3-0.  In many ways the game was one elongated power play for NU, as
vast amounts of time were spent in the Eli end.  Yale's skating is much
improved this season, but it wasn't enough to turn the Husky tide.
 
In the opening two and a half periods, the pattern of play was, Northeastern
puts on the pressure and Yale forms a student body wall in front of their net.
The Elis did make some effective breakout plays.  However the plan seemed to
be, sneak a score and count on the Bulldog defensive shell to keep the Huskies
out.  Periodically NU would crank it up and make some explosive attacks, but
Yale held firm.
 
Finally in the last half of the third, Northeastern broke through when
Stephanie Acres (Hilary Witt, Jennie Setaro) received the perfect pass from
Witt, waited and tucked her chance into the netting.  Erine Metcalf (Jaime
Totten) made it 2-0 NU when she deflected a point shot, on a power play, under
the goalie's pads.  Lisa Giovanelli (Colleen Coen, Totten) concluded the
scoring when she was setup by an intelligent dish from Coen.  Lovely goal!
 
Yale's mobility is looking good.  They used their simple, but effective,
defensive system to box out the Huskies.  The Elis were fortunate that no
hooking calls were made, otherwise they would have been continually in the sin
bin.  I was impressed with fresher defenders Lauren Gulka and Jane Resor.
Both anticipated the play well and were always there to clear the rebounds for
their goaltender.  Up front, Joni Kletter and Susie Barnes moved exceptionally
well together.  Their pace and drive was super.  The outstanding line for the
Elis was Sarah Russell, Genia Michaela and Julianna Schantz-Dunn.  They worked
their tails off.  Michaela had a particularly interesting face-off style.
Overall, the Bulldogs look to be a team gearing up for the future.
 
Northeastern had a very good skating day.  The players were moving.  There
were times when a perceptive pass could have made things easier.  In general,
the Huskies kept things under control until they produced the chances.  The
Northeastern woman of the match was blue liner Setaro.  The sophomore
sensation used her smart play to guide the team forward.  Setaro's reads and
quickness are marvelous.  Fellow defenders Totten and Keri-Anne Allan also
inspired with their range and excellent counters.  Up front fresher Jennifer
Santerre was motoring and went close several times.  Witt made some delightful
passes.  First-year Beth Claggett's touches produced some lovely moments.
Northeastern clinches second place in the ECAC with this victory and appears
to be stepping it up for the play-offs.
 
 
 _____________
/
 good shooting
 hungerf
_____________/
 
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey;  send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.