By Conor Nevins
After reeling off three straight victories over Jacksonville University, Florida Atlantic University and Providence College to start its 2004 campaign, the Northeastern University women’s soccer team suffered a tough 1-0 loss to visiting Marist College in its home opener at Parson’s Field Monday night.
In the 66th minute Marist would see its first real scoring opportunity of the game at the hands of a questionable no-call from the center official. And that one chance would be all the Red Foxes would need to secure their first win of the season as senior forward Courtney Moore slipped in a rebound off the crossbar past junior NU goalkeeper Mariel Wilner.
The Lady Huskies controlled the game from the opening kickoff, holding possession in the Red Foxes defensive third for much of the first half. The Huskies’ top-scoring tandem of freshman forward Diana Mastromauro (two goals, one assist) and sophomore forward Kristin Kowalik (two goals, one assist) paced the Husky attack, but at the end of the first 45 minutes the Huskies had only six shots and a disallowed goal (offsides) to show for their efforts.
The second half opened with much of the same dangerous, attacking play from NU but missed opportunities began to take the wind out of the sails of the Husky offense, and the athleticism and strength of a Red Fox team playing for its first win of the season started to wear out the NU defense.
The Huskies would continue to threaten in the closing minutes but Moore’s goal would stand as the game-winner and hand NU its first loss of the season.
NU Head coach Ed Matz said he was pleased with his team’s performance, but acknowledged the frustration of not being able to take advantage of its many chances.
“It’s a type of game that we have to put the ball away or it has a habit of getting back at you,” Matz said. “It’s just one of those things when a referee doesn’t make a call and all of a sudden you’re down 1-0.”
Senior captain Jen North said she felt the team put itself in a position to win, but just could not capitalize on its chances.
“We didn’t finish our chances when we could,” said the forward. “And then they scored and that brought us down a little.”
The home opening loss has not brought down the Huskies however, especially not after a three game winning streak to begin the season. With America East Conference play looming around the corner on Oct. 1, the Huskies are looking forward to a six-day rest period until their next game.
“We have a few days before our next game to work on some things and rest some injuries,” Matz said. “We have some players not at 100 percent so we’re happy to have a few days off to get them back.”
The Huskies travel to Sacred Heart for their next game on Sunday.
