2012 marked a memorable year for Northeastern Athletics, one in which players and teams captured several records, awards, and impressive victories.

The women’s hockey team’s 2011–12 season was highlighted by many notable accomplishments: the most wins (22) in 10 years, the program’s first-ever Hockey East Regular Season Championship, and the team’s first Beanpot championship since 1998, which they captured after defeating Boston University 4-3 in an overtime thriller. Goaltender Florence Schelling, who is currently playing in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League, was spectacular in net all season, posting a best-in-the-nation .950 save percentage, and earned a slew of accolades, including Hockey East Player of the Year. She also set Northeastern career records in minutes (5,878:40), goals-against average (.174), saves (2,681), and save percentage (.940). Head coach Dave Flint, for his part, earned Hockey East Co-Coach of the Year and All-New England Coach of the Year honors.

Outfielder Aaron Barbosa of Northeastern’s baseball team broke the Huskies’ single-season hits record with an infield single in the fifth inning of a May 20 game against Delaware. Barbosa’s 3-for-4 showing at the plate upped his hits total to 76, breaking the previous record of 74.

Northeastern swimmer Kelley Becherer captured four medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games—gold in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle and bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke and 200-meter individual medley. It marked the third time the Sheboygan, Wis., native competed in the games. [media-credit id=20 align=”alignright” width=”300″]

In September, Northeastern University Athletics Director Peter Roby was appointed to the NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball committee, which is responsible for selecting and seeding the NCAA tournament field each season. Roby called the appointment a tremendous honor and noted that he hoped his service on the committee would bring pride and satisfaction to the Northeastern community.

The women’s field hockey team spent the entire 2012 season ranked among the nation’s top 25, and earned a second-consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. Forward Crystal Poland was named the CAA Player of the Year and a first-team All-American, following a record-breaking season in which she scored 28 goals and racked up 63 points. Forward Deirdre Duke, for her part, was named CAA Rookie of the Year and a third-team All-American. Meanwhile, head coach Cheryl Murtagh was named 2012 Dita/NFHCA Division I Northeast Region Co-Coach of the Year and also was honored by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association with induction into the Zag Field Hockey/NFHCA Hall of Fame.

The 2012 men’s soccer team won its first-ever CAA Championship and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years, beating Boston College, 1-0, in a first round game. During a program record 12-match unbeaten streak, the Huskies cracked the national rankings for the first time ever. Senior forward Don Anding became the first Husky in program history to be named an NSCAA All-American, garnering third-team honors. The team’s 14 wins tied a career high for head coach Brian Ainscough, who was named the CAA Co-Coach of the Year and the NSCAA South Atlantic Regional Coach of the Year.

The men’s basketball team kicked off the 2012–13 season in sensational fashion, winning its first two games with dramatic buzzer-beating shots. In the season opener, the Huskies downed crosstown rival Boston University after sophomore Demetrius Pollard sank a three-pointer in the closing seconds. Four nights later, Northeastern stormed back from an 18-point deficit to beat Princeton on a Reggie Spencer layup as time expired. The Huskies put together a stellar showing at the Great Alaska Shootout over Thanksgiving break, reaching the tournament championship game but ultimately falling to Charlotte.

Kelly Bacon, an outside hitter on the women’s volleyball team, was named the 2012 CAA Volleyball Player of the Year. She became the third Husky to accomplish that feat after a season in which she set career highs in kills per set (3.58), points per set (4.27), digs per set (2.71), and total blocks (37). In CAA play, Bacon’s 3.74 kills per set and 4.27 points per set ranked fourth in the entire conference.