BOSTON — Going into a weekend series with No. 10 UConn, Northeastern hadn’t won two consecutive games all season. After a 1-0 NU win Friday, freshman goaltender Lisa Jönsson kept the pressure on UConn and led Northeastern to their first weekend sweep of the season.
Senior forward Skyler Irving’s goal, just over six minutes into the first period, was all Northeastern needed as Jönsson blanked UConn for the second straight day in another 1-0 NU win.
“I saw the daylight and opening,” Irving said of her goal. “I said this puck is going in and got it right in the back of the net.”
On the day, UConn outshot Northeastern 37-21, but Jönsson — getting consecutive starts for the first time in her collegiate career — built off the momentum of her inaugural shutout Friday, saving all UConn attempts. Jönsson showed her talent the entire weekend, stopping all 71 shots she faced across both games.
“I tried to ease [Jönsson] in early on, get her some experience, and build her confidence,” said Northeastern head coach Dave Flint. “This weekend was a really big step for her, and it built her confidence. I see her getting better and better every day in practice. She stole the win for us today.”
This was a redemption weekend for Northeastern after UConn snapped their six-straight Hockey East title streak in March.
“This was an awesome win to be able to get this sweep against UConn, especially from last year when we lost in the Hockey [East] championship game,” Irving said. “That was super heartbreaking for our whole team. We know we’ll see them later down the line.”
In a young season that has already had its ups and downs, the sweep was particularly impressive due to the injuries Northeastern has endured; sophomore forwards Peyton Compton and Allie Lalonde are yet to play a minute on the ice, and graduate forward Jaden Bogden has dropped out of the first line while she nurses an injury, forcing Flint to make many alterations to Northeastern’s top lines.
Nevertheless, strong team chemistry continues to propel Northeastern forward.
“The chemistry when the three [Caron, Irving, Bogden] of us were together was awesome,” Irving said. “[Bogden’s] going through some stuff, but she’ll be back. We have a talented group. Whoever gets put in our line will keep up and do well.”
Junior Holly Abella slotted into the first line for Northeastern, and she filled a large role with the top unit.
“Holly played great with us,” Irving said. “She’s so good at touching the puck into space [and] letting me skate onto it. She’s smart, and she sees the ice so well. [We’re] so lucky we have a talented group.”
While it took longer than anticipated, Northeastern fulfilled Irving’s wish for a “120-minute, full weekend effort.” The sweep comes at a key moment for Northeastern and proves that they can compete with the top teams in the nation.
Northeastern is back in action Friday, Nov. 15 against Maine. Emma Sullivan, Daisy Roberts, and Armaan Vij will have the call on Sports+ with puck-drop set for 6 p.m.