After making a statement against Quinnipiac last Saturday with a five-goal performance, No. 4 Northeastern continued its offensive momentum Friday, shutting out RIT 5-0.
The Huskies entered the matchup looking to build on their recent offensive success against a Tigers team that came into Friday at 2-6 and had allowed more than four goals per game. Northeastern controlled the game from the opening period, outshooting 71-34 and limiting RIT to just 18 shots on goal.
Northeastern opened the scoring just over seven minutes into the first period when senior forward Allie Lalonde finished a centering pass, beating RIT freshman goaltender Oceanne Thiffault from close range.
The Huskies doubled their lead later in the period. Junior forward Éloïse Caron put the initial shot on net, and senior captain Rylie Jones collected the rebound near the high slot before firing into the top-left corner to make it 2-0.
Northeastern outshot RIT 11-8 in the opening period and generated 22 shots overall, establishing control early. However, the Huskies could not capitalize on their first power-play opportunity after RIT junior defender Madison Buziak was called for holding late in the frame.
Northeastern entered the game converting just 6.3 percent of its power plays, and the unit continued to search for consistency.
The second period featured more of the same advantage for Northeastern, though the Huskies were unable to extend their lead. Junior forward Morgan Jackson nearly extended the advantage with a chance that rang off the crossbar, but Thiffault and the RIT defense kept the Huskies’ lead at two.
Northeastern faced two penalties in the period, yet, the Huskies’ penalty kill held firm, preventing the Tigers from finding a way back into the game.
Jackson appeared to add a short-handed goal, but the play was waved off for offside. Despite the missed opportunity, Northeastern continued to dictate play, outshooting RIT 24-12 through the first two periods.
With just under ten minutes remaining in the third period, Northeastern sophomore defender Ella Lloyd fired from near the blue line, sending a puck through traffic and past Thiffault after it deflected off an RIT defender to make it 3-0.
Freshman defender Tess Martin added her first career goal later in the period. After Jackson’s initial shot produced a rebound, Martin collected the puck in the slot and finished to extend Northeastern’s lead to four.
Graduate forward Grace Sadura capped the scoring in the final minute. Lalonde sent a cross-ice centering pass through the offensive zone, finding Sadura with space at the back door extending the lead to 5-0.
Junior goaltender Lisa Jönsson and the Northeastern defense completed the shutout, while the Huskies’ offensive pressure continued through the final horn.
Jackson and Lalonde each recorded three-point performances, leading the way as Northeastern continues to find production throughout its lineup. Jackson’s big night also moves her into the team lead in scoring, with nine points on the season.
After a difficult offensive start to the season, Northeastern has found its rhythm, scoring 18 goals over its last four games for an average of 4.5 goals per game. The Huskies have paired that offensive surge with strong defensive play allowing just 1.5 goals per game over that same stretch. Northeastern will look to continue that trend Saturday when it faces RIT again.
Northeastern returns to action Saturday for another matchup against RIT. WRBB will have written coverage following the game.
Armaan Vij is the Editor-in-Chief for WRBB Sports. He has covered Northeastern hockey, baseball, and rowing both on-air and in print for the past three years. Read all his articles here.