By: Katie Zigelman, News Staff
The Northeastern field hockey team is looking forward to its first conference game after losing to the University of New Hampshire Wildcats Sunday 4–0 after beating the University of Massachusetts 2-1 in overtime Friday.
In Sunday’s game, the Wildcats scored their first goal just 2:23 into the game. Despite junior forward Crystal Poland’s five shots and senior captain midfielder Kaela Barker’s one, the Huskies were not able to make it onto the board. They were able to step up their defense in the second half and only let the Wildcats score once.
“We had a tough game on Sunday,” Barker said. “UNH was good and we didn’t play up to our potential.”
Junior goalkeeper Lizzie Priest made eight saves throughout the game.
Head coach Cheryl Murtagh said that the defense and ball possession were better for the team in the second half of the UNH game, however it was “still not enough.”
“Unfortunately we let ourselves get down 2-0 in the first couple minutes of play,” Murtagh said. “We can’t do that.”
The Huskies previous game last Friday proved a better outcome for the team. This was the first game of the season to go into overtime and the Huskies showed they were ready for the challenge, winning 2-1. Both senior forward Carolyn Malloy and Poland continued their previous scoring streaks as Poland earned an assist and Malloy the game-winning goal.
Senior midfielder Pam Aldridge scored the other Husky goal and Priest made nine saves, six in the second half.
“Friday was good for our confidence level – especially after the California games – coming back to the East Coast and winning,” Barker said.
Murtagh said it felt good to be back playing in New England.
“I wish we did better the second game but UMass was good for the team to win in overtime,” Murtagh said. “We still have a lot to work on.”
The Huskies are playing tomorrow at William and Mary, which will mark and important game of the season as it is the first game in the Colonial Athletic Association for Northeastern.
Barker described this next game as being important for conference but also for the team’s confidence level.
“It’s tough to lose but the biggest thing right now is we need to get over it and move forward,” she said.
William and Mary has only lost one of its six games so far this season and that was to Davidson. They are fresh off of a 3-1 win last Saturday over UC Davis.
Murtagh believes that the team is ready for their first game of conference play.
“They [the team] know what this game means and are all focused,” she said. “They have a good attitude. We have been away seven of our eight games so we are used to being on the road.”
