BOSTON – Mari Creatini’s goal with two minutes and 32 seconds left in the first half proved to be the game-winner as the Northeastern field hockey team earned a 2-0 victory over the University of Maine in Sunday afternoon’s America East Championship.

The No. 1 Huskies (17-5) gained the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship with the win over the No. 3 Black Bears.

Maine finishes its season at 15-6.

Whitney Shean set up the winning goal when she crossed the ball from the left to the right in front of the net. Creatini fired it into the right corner of the goal. Liane Dixon, who was named the tournament’s most valuable player, scored an insurance goal in the second half.

Goalies Jaye Lance of Maine and Diana Nelson of Northeastern each made three saves.

Maine players Karly Bundy of Kennebunk, Amie Dubois of Winslow, and Rebecca Ouellet were named to the all-tournament team.