After a disappointing first-round loss in the America East tournament last year to the University of Connecticut, it’s time for the Northeastern field hockey team to focus on the tasks at hand.
First, there is a schedule that pits the team against six programs that finished in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Div. I Top 20 last year.
Second, there is a series of match ups against AE rivals that will be chasing Northeastern and its 19-1 AE record the last three years.
Lastly, there’s a chance for All-American forward Mari Creatini and her fellow seniors to leave a lasting mark in the program’s final year in the AE before moving to the Colonial Athletic Association, having now won three straight championship banners.
“We’re pretty excited about our players returning and the potential they have,” said coach Cheryl Murtagh. “There’s a lot of work to do though and other people certainly know about our strengths. It’ll be a challenge.”
Creatini led the nation in points (72) and goals (29) last year in a season which saw the Huskies go an undefeated 6-0 in AE play and 17-6 overall.
The season ended abruptly, however, when UConn beat NU 2-1 in the NCAA East Regionals in November.
It was UConn’s second win in two tries over Northeastern, having handed the Huskies a 2-0 loss at Sweeney Field in mid-October.
“I strongly believe and I know a lot of my teammates believe that it’s in our reach to repeat as AE champions,” said goaltender Diana Nelson. “I’m a fifth-year senior, but the other three seniors, who are all four years, came in and won the AE and now want to go out that way. It’s our last year, and we want to come up big at the end.”
Creatini noted that in practice and by looking at all of her teammates, a lot of confidence and trust is present in a young squad (10 freshmen, six redshirt freshmen last year).
“I feel like I can trust any of my teammates,” Creatini said. “I’m sure they feel the same way about each other. We’re young but skilled. I feel very strongly about our team. We just all want to be on the same page.”
The Huskies started 1-2 last year, having lost to Virginia and Michigan, but won 10 of their next 12 games. The team’s offensive skills were showcased in a series of high-scoring wins, including a 10-0 win over Massachusetts and a 6-1 win at Brown.
And while Creatini and Liane Dixon are two veteran forwards on a skilled and experienced offense, the team is convinced the balance of talent is very strong.
“We have some returning players in a really strong midfield,” Dixon said. “Our backfield did a great job last year and it’s good that we have some returning forwards.”
Third-year midfielder Jay Quinn will be a key contributor, having had a steady 2003 campaign.
She played strongly between the forward and back lines, and was a major player on offense in such games as the team’s match-up with fourth-seeded Boston University in the AE semifinals.
Murtagh also noted the emergence of defender Katherine Hopkin, and midfielders Stephanie Casper and Joy Earley, all underclassmen.
“Every year, we look for underclassmen to step it up and they have shown that they can do it,” Murtagh said. “That’s why we redshirt kids and that’s why we have competitive practices. Everyone’s being pushed along. Our major strengths will be moving the ball. We’ll be a good offensive and passing team.”
The loss of senior defenders Leigh Shea and Melissa Rowell will immediately make the backfield a younger group, but Murtagh is confident in this area as well.
“Defensively, we’re putting it together and we’ve definitely got to be stronger,” Murtagh said. “We have some good people though, a younger group.”
Lauren Edelmeier and Megan Troxel will have a presence in the backfield, both erasing doubts about the Husky defense.
Edelmeier was a second-team 2003 AE All-Conference last season while Troxel was an AE All-Rookie Team Selection.
The Huskies open against Ball State at Ohio University on August 28.
“We borrow the [New England] Patriots’ ideals in that they didn’t look at outcome goals, but performance goals,” Creatini said. “We look at it game by game and we’re going to do that. It’s a challenging schedule, but that’s good, because we want to be the best.”
