By Ethan Schroeder, news correspondent
The Northeastern men’s soccer team continues its struggle to secure victories away from Parsons Field, as it dropped the first two contests of a three-game road trip this week. Saturday’s 3-1 loss at Providence College (PC) and Tuesday’s 3-2 gut punch at Harvard University brought the Huskies’ away record to 0-5 on the season. NU now has a record of 2-6-0.
Saturday’s game was put out of reach early on. Providence sophomore midfielder Julian Gressel struck first in the 11th minute after beating junior NU goalie Dylan Faber. Senior forward Fabio Machado added on another goal to tilt the game in the Friars’ favor by two after only 16 minutes.
Northeastern kept its composure and attempted to pull itself back up five minutes later with freshman midfielder Brad Fountain’s second goal of the season. Then, the Huskies nearly evened things up in the second half when Fountain barely missed the left post in the 65th minute. Providence was able to close the door on a potential comeback when junior midfielder Manny Andrade slotted home a dagger in the 81st minute.
Associate Head Coach Brendan Burke praised the group’s ability to respond despite the early scores given up.
“We played very well, but Providence [is] a little more experienced in front of both goals, and I thought they were good in that respect,” he said.
The Huskies mustered eight shots, while Providence was able to come up with 12. Senior goalkeeper Keasel Broome needed only two saves to help earn the Friars their fifth win of the season.
“We didn’t create as much as we’re used to down there,” Burke said.
In Tuesday night’s matchup against the Harvard Crimson, NU was within reach of its elusive first road victory. The team controlled the tempo from the get-go, recording the game’s first five shots and its first goal. Fountain got two touches on a ball bouncing just inside the goalie box in the 15th minute and volleyed it over Crimson goalkeeper Evan Mendez for his second score in two games.
Fountain would have to bow out only 20 minutes later after jamming his leg on an opposing player attempting to gain possession of the ball at midfield.
The Huskies were able to continue on to a comfortable 2-0 lead when a give-and-go between freshman forward Frantzdy Pierrot and sophomore forward Christian McKenna ended with Pierrot bouncing a shot off of a Harvard defender and past Mendez in the 71st minute.
By the time Northeastern scored its second goal, Harvard was eager to get on the score sheet. Just three minutes later, sophomore midfielder Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu headed in a goal that reenergized the home team. After numerous near-chances, Harvard was able to tie up the game in the 87th minute following a header from Hiroki Kobayashi during a midfield set piece. Then, in heartbreaking fashion, Crimson freshman midfielder Andrew Chang volleyed in a failed defensive clear with 41 seconds left in regulation to cap off the comeback.
“We’ve got to be tighter defensively than we were as a whole,” Burke said following the implosion. “Soccer went out the window at the start of the second half and we can’t get sucked into that.”
Besides the confidence blow, the injury to Fountain is surely a source of worry for the team. He had been a consistent starter for the team this year.
“The referee lost control of the game early, and he was one of the victims,” Burke said. “It certainly hurts; [Fountain] is in great form.”
The Huskies look to end their road skid when they visit Stony Brook University on Long Island this Saturday. Following the trip to New York is a return to Boston next Wednesday to face the College of the Holy Cross, where the Huskies look to add on positive results to their 2-1 home record.
Photo by Jim Pierce, Northeastern Athletics
