The inevitable comes to pass: Witt is Northeastern’s all-time best
Date of Release: Jan. 3, 2000

With the university’s career goal-scoring mark of 88 surpassed earlier this season, Northeastern’s Hilary Witt set her sights on Fiona Rice’s career points record of 181.

Scoring twice in the third period of a Dec. 30 victory over Wisconsin, Witt pulled to within one point of matching Rice. In dramatic fashion, Witt set up two Husky goals in the final 18 seconds of the contest to first tie and then break Rice’s record, etching her name as the new pinnacle in Northeastern’s illustrious record book. The final assist came with just one tick remaining on the game clock and moved Witt into sole possession of third place on Northeastern’s all-time assist list. It is the only one of NU’s career offensive records that she does not hold. She already ranks in the top five single season performances in both goals and points, including a 32-26-58 line in 1997-98, and is currently on pace to post career highs in all three offensive categories.

Witt followed her record-breaking night with another masterful performance, scoring career goal No. 100 in a slim 1-0 triumph over host Dartmouth in the championship game of the annual Dartmouth Invitational Tournament. She was subsequently named the ECAC’s Player of the Week, an honor that has become remarkably familiar to her. Witt has scored at least one goal in eight consecutive games, all victories for her Huskies.

The highly talented winger is as dedicated on defense as she is dynamic on offense. Northeastern’s flagship forward has been a candidate for the top individual prize in the sport, the Patty Kazmaier Award, in the two years that it has been presented. She is expected to be nominated once again.

Witt was a four-year letterwinner in softball at Canton High in Canton, Massachusetts. Meanwhile, she was winning national championships in 1990-91 and 1993-94 with the Assabet Valley girls’ ice hockey teams.

As a freshman at Northeastern in 1996-97, she led the team to its third ECAC title by scoring twice in the championship game, a 3-2 win over New Hampshire. The Huskies boast an impressive 91-24-9 record in Witt’s three-plus years on the roster, including a sharp 13-2-1 start this year.