NORTHEASTERN TOPPED BY OHIO STATE, 7-1

After two games in Columbus, the Northeastern women's hockey team will be glad to leave Ohio. The Huskies (0-2-0) concluded a disappointing season-opening weekend by falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes (2-0-0) for the second consecutive evening, 7-1, on Saturday evening at OSU Ice Rink.

Unlike the previous evening, which saw the Buckeyes score two early goals, Northeastern came out strong on Saturday night. The Huskies out-shot the Buckeyes, 10-4, in the opening 20 minutes, and NU junior Nikki Petrich put the visitors in front for the first time this weekend with an even-strength tally 12:35 into the first period. Assists on the goal went to freshmen Chelsey Jones and Katy Applin.

After its strong beginning, however, the Huskies continued to be done in by penalties. With Petrich in the box for hooking, OSU's Mallory Peckels scored her first of the season at 16:54 of the first period to even the score. The Buckeyes scored the game-winner with the man-advantage as well, as Lisa Cheeson scored less than seven minutes into the second period to give the home team a 2-1 lead.

For the second consecutive night, Ohio State scored four goals in the second period to put the game away. After Cheeson's tally, OSU scored three goals in the final 2:02 of the second period to deflate the Huskies. Amber Bowman scored her third goal in two games at the 17:58 mark, and Cheeson and Morgan Marziali notched tallies 29 seconds apart to give the Buckeyes a 5-1 lead heading into the third period.

Marziali and Erin Keys added goals for Ohio State in the third period to finish off the scoring.

Other than their inability to kill penalties, Northeastern also continued to struggle with the extra skater. The Huskies went 0-for-9 on Saturday evening after going 0-for-9 on Friday night, giving the team a host of missed opportunities to look back on. Ohio State, meanwhile, scored three power-play goals on Saturday to go along with four last night.

Once again, it was a tough evening for Husky goaltenders. Sophomore Stacey Scott made her first start of the season in net for NU, giving up all seven goals and making 15 saves in 44:28 of action. Freshman Sydney Arbelbide played the final 15:32, making four saves without giving up a goal. For Ohio State, Liana Bonanno earned the win after giving up one goal in 48:09 before being replaced by Jill Mauch, who held the Huskies scoreless for the final 11:41.

The Huskies will return home for their next contest, as the team plays its 2006-07 home-opener on Saturday, Oct. 14 when NU welcomes ECACHL foe Quinnipiac to Matthews Arena for a 2 p.m. matchup.