If the Northeastern field hockey team was defined in the dictionary, it would probably look something like this:

1 : commanding, controlling, or prevailing over all others;

2 : overlooking and commanding from a superior position.

Those definitions were taken from the word “dominant,” and that’s exactly what the Huskies have been since Cheryl Murtagh took over the program 17 season ago.

The reigning Northeast Region Coach of the Year led Northeastern to 10 America East titles in 15 years and 14 appearances in the NCAA tournament, including three trips to the Final Four.

Despite her great success, it would be understandable for Husky fans to worry about the 2005 season. After last year’s 4-2 loss to eventual national champions Wake Forest in the NCAA tournament, the Huskies lost two All-Americans in Mari Creatini, the all-time points leader at NU, and Liane Dixon, the 2004 leading scorer. In their four years at NU, the two combined for 304 points. That’s a pretty large number to replace, but nothing new for Murtagh.

“The great thing about our program is that we are always looking for other people to step up each year,” said Murtagh.

After 16 of her 17 seasons Murtagh has graduated at least one All-American. Despite losing talent, she has a gift for bringing out the best in players of what they need to step up most.

“[Murtagh] is a great recruiter,” said junior Whitney Shean. “And she’s a great individual coach. She knows what every player needs to be the best they can be.”

This year will be no different as the Huskies enter their first season in one of the most prolific conferences in the country, the Colonial Athletic Association. Home of nine-time national champion Old Dominion, the growth in competition from the America East for field hockey likely will be one of the most drastic out of all NU sports teams. But the field hockey team is definitely the most qualified for such a move.

“We’re excited about the move,” Murtagh said. “We know it’s going to be tough, but our goal is to be nationally competitive and this move should help us do that.”

Released Tuesday, the CAA coaches poll has Old Dominion recapturing the conference crown and the newcomer Huskies finishing fourth behind ODU, William and Mary and Delaware.

“A preseason poll is a preseason poll,” Murtagh said. “We prepare the same way we have been in the past.”

The Huskies have a good core returning to their starting lineup led by seniors captains Jay Quinn and Lauren Edelmeier — both of whom were 2004 All-America East selections.

Quinn, a midfielder, has started all but four games for the Huskies over the past two seasons and brings solid defense to the field, as well as an average of 20 points per season for the past two years.

We’ve all heard the clich