NORTHEASTERN FALLS TO NIAGARA, 6-4

Nikki Petrich scored twice for the Huskies

On Saturday the women's ice hockey team was defeated by Niagara by a final score of 6-4. Senior Nikki Petrich scored twice in the game for the Huskies while Venla Heikkila and Frances McPhail also earned two scores for Niagara.

The Eagles were on the board first when, after pulling goaltender Nikki Rudy in favor of an extra player, Kara Edwards accepted a pass from McPhail to beat Husky goalie Sarah Belliveau to put Niagara up 1-0. The Eagles added to their lead when Venla Heikkila scored her first goal of the season at 13:32 in the first.

The new period brought new life to the Huskies. After Northeastern won a face-off, Kristi Kehoe grabbed the loose puck and took it all the way to the net for an unassisted, tally, her second overall this season. The teams went into the final period with the score 2-1 in favor of Niagara.

The third period proved to be a wild one, as five total goals were scored.

Annie Hogan tied the game at 2 for her first goal of the season at :42 into the period. Katy Applin assisted on the tying goal for her third helper on the season.

Four minutes later, Niagara had an answer. McPhail earned her first goal of the day, unassisted, putting the Eagles up 3-1. But again the Huskies showed their fight and scored twice within the next three minutes, both goals from their captain.

Petrich's first goal came with help Kehoe, and her second was on a power play and was assisted by Lindsay Berman and Chelsey Jones. The goal gave the Huskies a 4-3 lead that they would not be able to hold onto.

Heikkila attacked again for Niagara, scoring her second of the game from Kara Edwards to tie the score. Less than 20 seconds later, McPhail earned her second tally of the night in what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Eagles. Mary McKinnon earned the assist on the play.

Northeastern decided to pull goalie Sarah Belliveau, who ended the day with 15 saves, in order to have an extra skater. But Ashley Riggs scored the empty net goal, the sixth of the day for the Eagles, to put the finishing touches on the game for Niagara.

With the loss, the Huskies fall to 0-3-1 on the season. The team returns to action at 2 p.m., on Saturday in a second matinee against the Eagles at Matthews Arena.