By: Patrick McHugh, News Staff

Though the season is only seven games old, the field hockey team appears to be following the same path it did last season.

After dropping their first three contests, the Huskies responded by winning three straight games before losing to Providence College 2-0 yesterday at Sweeney Field. Northeastern’s record now stands at 3-4.

The team’s early start to 2010 closely mirrors that of 2009 when the squad dropped its first two games before rebounding to win four straight games.

Despite outshooting PC 4-3, the Huskies could not find a way past Friar goaltender Shannon DiStefano.

Head coach Cheryl Murtagh said the team’s poor start was discouraging, but since then she has seen improvement.

“We obviously got off to a slow start, but I think the team feels good about the type of effort we’ve been giving,” Murtagh said. “It’s paid off in the results from the last few games against some pretty good teams.”

NU’s first three losses came against three of the top field hockey teams in the country:  Northwestern, Syracuse and UMass–Amherst. The Huskies were outscored 10-4 in these contests, but Murtagh said she believes the experience was good for the team.

“We made some crucial mistakes but I think they learned they can compete with anybody,” she said. “It was early, but I like the way they put it behind them. I don’t think there’s a team they think they can’t compete with when they step on the field.”

The team got its first win of the season by defeating Maine 3-2 at home Sept. 5. Junior midfielder and captain Kaela Barker and sophomore forward Carolyn Malloy each scored their second goals of the season, while freshman forward Lindsay Bennett tallied her first career goal in the win.

Bennett said her first collegiate goal came as a surprise.

“It was kind of a shock for me, I was kind of stunned that it went in the goal,” she said.

The Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) named Bennett the CAA Rookie of the Week for her efforts, a recognition her coach said she feels is deserved.

“Lindsay has earned it,” Murtagh said. “She’s a hustler, she creates problems for the other team. She has a lot of energy, and that’s what you want. When you have a tough 20-game schedule you want people that are going to give energy, and she does that.”

After leading her high school, Notre Dame de Sion, in scoring in her junior and senior seasons, Bennett said adjusting to collegiate play has been a process.

“The game is completely different,” said the Kansas City, Mo., native. “A lot faster-paced and a lot more exciting. I learned that there is actually strategy, it’s not just hitting the ball. There are spots to go to.”

After picking up its first win of the season Northeastern made it two in a row by downing Quinnipiac 5-1 at home last Friday. Junior forward Carolyn Malloy led the way by scoring two goals and adding an assist.

For the third straight season, the Huskies took down their local rivals from Boston University, stealing a 1-0 win from the No. 15 Terriers on the road Monday. Malloy scored the game-winning goal but sophomore goaltender Lizzie Priest was the difference-maker, stopping a career-high 13 shots in earning the shutout.

“We all worked really hard as a defensive unit to have them shoot from different angles,” Priest said. “They weren’t easy access shots I guess you could say. It felt really good to shut them down.”

After starting all 18 games as a freshman last season, Priest played every minute in goal this season and said the experience has made her more confident.

“I’m a lot more comfortable talking to the defenders,” Priest said. “I feel like me and the defenders work well together. I’m not as nervous to say something and I’m more comfortable clearing the ball.”

The Huskies have a week off before their next game, a 6 p.m. contest at Harvard on Wednesday. Murtagh said in order for her team to be more consistent they will have to sharpen its approach.

“I think a lot of it is mental preparation,” she said. “You have to be prepared to play each opponent, you have to have respect for each opponent, which I think we have.”