The quarterfinal match Sunday afternoon at Matthews Arena was won by
the inspired play of the Huskies' third line.  The Crimson goalie and
defenders had kept the game close.  In the end Northeastern's trust
in their own players overcame the negative tactics of the game.
 
Rayanne Conway (Kim Drews, Jeanine Sobek) scored first for the Huskies
early in the first period.  Drews pass found her all alone right in
front of the net.  Conway's high shot to the glove side zipped in.
Harvard came back with a power play goal by Christa Calagione.  She
skated out of the corner and then flipped her backhander high into the
net.  There was no scoring in the second period.  Play for most of the
match was rather slow and tense.  In the final period Danyel Howard
(Dori Hoagland, Kelly Tapani) gave NU a 2-1 lead on the power play
when she stuffed home a second rebound.  Tapani (Howard, Hoagland)
finished the scoring for Northeastern when she was able to slide the
puck under the goalies pads, while on her knees.  The play had
developed off the third line using a low roll around the Harvard net.
 
Harvard's chance of winning this match was killed by coaching.  Go-
ing with only two lines does not cut it in the ECAC.  As I watched
and heard all the talk from the bench I felt like I was witnessing
classic over-coaching.  Erin Villiotte was huge in goal for Harvard.
She not only stopped shots, but managed to break up plays too.  My
outstanding player of the game would go to defender Winkie Mleczko.
She was a tower of strength out there for the Crimson.  She just gave
such good cover that it gave the rest of the team a chance.  Holly
Leitzes, playing the match with a broken wrist, did more than anybody
could expect.  A gutsy performance!  Colleen Malek also provide good
D and was certainly a big factor for Harvard.  Joey Alissi and Diana
Clark kept their lines going with their good hard skating and solid
back-checking.  Christa Calagione played a terrific match.  Her
skating provided much of the Harvard attack.   Overall a match where
the Harvard Women should be very proud of their efforts.  Well done!
 
Northeastern did not skate well in this match.  For some reason they
always have trouble playing the Crimson.  At first I thought they were
just saving it for the last two periods as they could see that Harvard
was wearing themselves out.  While they did pick up their attack for
the last two periods they never got rolling.  The third line made
up of combinations from Dori Hoagland, Caroline Heatley, Kelly Tapani
and Danyel Howard played great.  There determination was what made the
difference for the Huskies.  The outstanding player on the ice for NU
was Katherine Wyman.  Her defensive skills were superb today.  She
broke up numerous rushes.  Her passing and attack skills were also
very good.  Shelley Looney had a fairly good skating game, but again
seemed too involved in the checking aspects of the match.  Rayanne
Conway had a particularly good match.  Her superior penalty kill
skills were among the talents she displayed.  Overall, too much
control, not enough let it loose and skate.  It will be tough going
for NU if they continue to play this style next week at the final
four.
 
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 good shooting
 rhun
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