Northeastern opened its 2011 regular season with a 2-1 victory over Providence College on Friday at Glay Field in Providence, R.I.

In what was a fairly even game overall, the scoring came in a cluster, with both teams combining to score all three goals in a span of barely more than four minutes.

The Huskies were first to get on the score-sheet as Ricardo McDonald got his season off to a flying start. The sophomore headed home Karl Rumph’s left wing cross following a Northeastern corner kick, one of six the Huskies earned in the game.

Providence leveled the score three minutes later through John Raley. The Friar defender fired a strike from beyond the top of the penalty area, picking out the top right corner in the process.

Northeastern then went ahead for good in the 71st minute.

Dante Marini’s long-range shot beat Providence keeper Jhojan Obando and seemed destined for goal until striking the crossbar and bouncing down off the turf. Following the play the whole way, captain Andre Ciliotta sprinted into the penalty area and latched onto the loose ball, heading home what would be the eventual game-winning goal for Northeastern.

The Huskies response to conceding the tying goal was something that stood out to head coach Brian Ainscough.

“In the past, that’s a game we might have lost after Providence equalized, but we showed great character to pull out an important road win against a very good Friars team,” Ainscough said. “I felt the leadership of our older players was tremendous today.”

The Friars outshot the Huskies 14-11 in the contest, but redshirt freshman Jacob Aduama, making his first career start, was outstanding in goal. Aduama made six stops en route to a debut win that impressed Ainscough.

“Often times with young keepers you tell the defense and everyone else to protect the keeper and help out as much as possible,” said Ainscough. “Today Jacob protected everyone else at times, he had an unbelievable debut.”

The victory is Northeastern’s second-ever win over the Friars, and third all-time against Big East opponents.

The Huskies return to action on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. when they take on Marist College at Parsons Field.