An Icelandic connection pushed the Northeastern women's soccer team past Albany on Sunday afternoon. Senior Sandra Magnusdottir connected on a 78th minute goal off an assist from countrymate and classmate Greta Samuelsdottir to spark NU to a 2-0 victory over the Great Danes.

The goal was the first of the season for Magnusdottir, with assists from Samuelsdottir and rookie Shayna Blackwood. Junior captain Hillary Savoy (Winchester, Mass.) also scored in the contest, her first career tally. Northeastern outshot Albany 22-8 on the day, including a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. Sophomore Paige Burnett (Placentia, Calif.) made three saves to record her first shutout of the season.

The win concludes Northeastern's non-conference slate, and they currently sit at 2-6 on the year. NU is now 6-0 all-time against Albany. Magnusdottir and Samuelsdottir led the way for NU with five shots apiece, and rookie Emily Nasuti added four.

The Huskies first chance came in the 13th minute, when Magnusdottir (Reykjavik, Iceland) lofted a cross to classmate Samuelsdottir (Kopavogur, Iceland). Samuelsdottir was able to get a header on goal, but UA's Alana Brennan corralled it for a save. Magnusdottir nearly struck herself minutes later, but her 30-yard blast hit the top right post.

After a diving save by Brennan on an Emily Nasuti (Millbury, Mass.) chance, Albany had their first opportunity when Shayla Bergeron's blast was blocked by sophomore Awnalisa Walker (Sugar Land, Texas). The subsequent corner netted nothing, with Burnett coming up to punch a loose ball out of the box.

Northeastern had another golden opportunity in the 30th minute, when Hanna Terry gained some space 25 yards out and launched a rocket towards Brennan, but her winding blast hit the crossbar. Albany felt NU's crossbar woes minutes later, when a Bergeron strike hit the left post. The Great Danes threatened again moments later, but Burnett stuffed an Allison Carhart chance to keep the contest scoreless.

The Huskies outshot Albany 7-3 in the first half, with a 2-1 edge in shots on goal. Samuelsdottir led all players in the opening frame with three shots.

NU's first chance of the second half came in the 52nd minute, when Magnusodttir found space and fired a shot at Brennan, who was up to the task. Nasuti nearly broke the draw in the 68th minute, winning a loose ball in the box before pushing a shot just wide of the net. The freshman had another opportunity minutes later, taking a beautiful ball from Terry and floating one high of the net.

Northeastern finally broke the scoreless draw in the 78th minute. Freshman Shayna Blackwood (Somerville, N.J.) started the scoring play by carving through the midfield to feed a streaking Samuelsdottir. The Icelandic International worked her way into the box to find her countrymate Magnusdottir, who buried her first goal of the season to give NU a 1-0 lead.

The Huskies got some insurance minutes later, when a Blackwood shot was deflected by Brennan, before Savoy jumped into the scramble to bury the rebound and ice NU's 2-0 victory.

The Huskies continue their five-game home stand on Friday, Sept. 21 when they welcome Georgia State to Parsons Field to kick off CAA conference play. Game-time is set for 6 p.m.

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