Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
James Madison
'Cats Break Away From JMU in Overtime, 2-1
8/29/2004 12:00:00β―AM | Field Hockey
Aug. 29, 2004
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KENT, Ohio -- In her first game as Northwestern's head coach, Kelly McCollum watched her team shake off a slow start Sunday to come back and defeat James Madison, 2-1, in overtime at Kent State University on the strength of a pair of Meghan Small (Macungie, Pa./Moravian Academy) goals.
Ten minutes into the extra period, NU's Amanda Care (Newtown, Pa./Pennsbury) took a long pass behind the defense and drew the keeper to her on the breakaway before dishing to Small who put home the game-winning tally.
The goal came minutes after the Dukes had a two-on-one of their own, but NU goalkeeper Sherri-Anne Nyberg (Kelowna, British Columbia/Kelowna Secondary) dove to her right to break up the crossing pass and deny the scoring opportunity.
"That was a big save right when we needed it," McCollum said. "We still had people getting back and Sherri-Anne made a great play."
The game was Northwestern's first overtime contest since Sept. 28, 2003, when the Wildcats fell to Ohio State 1-0 in last season's sole extra-time match.
NU began the match sluggishly, falling behind 11:24 into the contest when JMU's Maureen Klingler dribbled across the front of the cage and found the back of the cage.
It would be one of the Dukes' few scoring chances on the afternoon, however. A strong defensive effort allowed only six JMU (0-2) shots while the Wildcats racked up 17. Northwestern also held a 9-3 advantage in penalty corners.
"We worked well together to make corrections and adjustments," McCollum said. "We played with pride and we won with pride."
NU knotted the game, 1-1, 8:38 into the second half when Small redirected a Candice Cooper (Winnetka, Ill./New Trier) shot past the keeper on a penalty corner.
"Meghan came through with her finishing ability today," McCollum said. "She was clutch in deflecting that corner and showed poise in putting home the game winner."
The win is the 'Cats second straight in season-openers after losing three consecutive from 2000-2002. NU opened the 2003 campaign with a 3-2 victory over Boston College.
McCollum's first career victory comes against another new head coach in 1991 NU graduate Antoinette Lucas, who is in her first season at the helm of the Dukes. Lucas was a two-time All-American in both field hockey and lacrosse at Northwestern. In field hockey, she lead the 'Cats to four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including the 1989 Final Four where she was named to the all-tournament team.
Northwestern returns to action tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 30, at Kent State.
