By Gayle Simone

Last week the Huskies dropped all three of their games to the University of New Hampshire, St. Lawrence University and Clarkson University.

NU was shut out by the Wildcats, 8-0, and scored just two goals in their match-ups against the latter two, 6-1 and 2-1 respectively.

In Sunday’s loss to Clarkson, the Huskies broke the scoreless tie 5:39 into the second period.

Sophomore assistant captain Amy Goodney netted her first goal of the season after Clarkson goalie Kira McDonald made the initial stop on a shot by sophomore Crystal Rochon. Rochon’s shot from the blue line could not be covered by McDonald. Freshman Nikki Petrich scooped up the rebound and sent the puck to an open Goodney, giving the Huskies their only lead over the three games last week.

The goal took some pressure off of Goodney.

“I was worried about that,” Goodney said. “I thought I was going into the sophomore slump. But I’m happy that’s out of the way and hopefully now things will keep picking up and my line can keep generating offense.”

The Huskies held the lead into the final period of play, but Clarkson took advantage of bouncing pucks, with goals by Emma Madigan and Katie Morrison, to secure the victory.

The Huskies had an opportunity to tie the game with five minutes.

Clarkson took back-to-back penalties, but the Huskies failed to capitalize on the 5-on-3.

“We had the opportunity to put the puck in the net,” Schuler said. “But unfortunately we didn’t.”

In Saturday’s loss to St. Lawrence, Rochon netted her first goal of the season and the Huskies only goal of the game.

Rochon skated out of the defensive zone past three St. Lawrence defenders before making a move against Jess Moffat for the goal. Chrissy Sands assisted on the play.

“I don’t think it was that spectacular of a move,” Rochon said. “The defense wasn’t moving their feet so I was able to put the puck between their legs. I’m just glad I got my first goal out of the way.”

Husky junior goalie, Marisa Hourihan, made 142 saves over the three games despite her and her teammates falling 1-5-0 on the season and 0-1-0 in Hockey East. Schuler has no intention of pulling Hourihan as the starting net minder.

“She makes a lot of critical saves for us,” Schuler said. “[Hourihan] is a fantastic goalie. Every time we watch game tapes and make analysis we come to the conclusion we are making mistakes as a team, not because of Marisa.

“Our let downs are the cause. She is making the first and second saves. She’s doing her job. Our forwards and defensemen need to start doing their jobs.”

Hourihan had an impressive 53 saves in net for the Huskies against UNH, but the NU offense was kept in check by the opposite goaltender Brittany Busa in an 8-0 shutout.

NU managed just 18 shots on net, while being hurt by penalties with nine for 18 minutes during the game.

Jennifer Hitchcock had a hat trick for the Wildcats, while Lindsay Hansen and Jackie Webster had two goals each.

Despite the losses, coach Laura Schuler is still optimistic about her team.

“I think every game we have played we have gotten better and better,” Schuler said. “St. Lawrence is a very strong team. They are nationally ranked and Clarkson is a good team too. We definitely fell short in the end.”

The Huskies travel to Ohio State University this weekend hoping to end the current three-game losing streak when they face off against the Buckeyes in two non-conference games.

The Huskies return home to Matthews Arena on Friday Nov. 19 when they face Hockey East opponent Boston College.