But ultimately the NU defense, led by veteran senior Christy Finch, held off the Hoyas to seal a 7-6 victory. The Cats used their superior ball control to seal the win, keeping possession in the final minutes.
"Georgetown came in with a good plan against us," Nielsen said. "They were really patient and made our defense really work. I think our defense showed a lot of heart to hold on to the win."
NU had an easier time at home against Vanderbilt (7-4), as the Cats took the March 30 contest, 14-8. The win was record-setting: The Cats tied the school mark of 31 consecutive victories, and coach Kelly Amonte Hiller also earned her 100th victory at NU.
Nielsen said the trio of victories has prepared the team for the next stretch of the season, when the Cats will face five ranked opponents in six games. The grueling stretch starts Sunday, when NU travels to Durham, N.C., to take on the fifth-ranked Duke Blue Devils.
"We know every game is going to be a tough game, because everyone's gunning to bring us down," Nielsen said. "It makes us better, makes us prepare harder, and it's always good to get some tough games going into the serious part of the season."
jamesmitchell2007@u.northwestern.edu
2008 Woodie Awards
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