The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

The independent student newspaper of Northeastern University

The Huntington News

Huskies reach .500 in a thriller

By Kimberly Peterson

The fans got their money’s worth last Sunday at Parson’s Field.

Trailing until the end, it seemed that everytime NU tied it up, Rider University (2-5-0) would just score again. When the dust settled, however, Northeastern (3-2-2) rallied to a win as they beat the visiting team, 4-3.

“They would score, then we would score, but the game showed a lot of character for a very young team,” said coach Ed Matz. “I think that it was our biggest game of the year because we didn’t quit, we just kept on coming back.”

Rider started the scoring at 17:23 on a quick shot past sophomore goalie Cynthia Slowik. The Huskies quickly tied it up at 19:52 on a goal by sole senior Kelly Smith.

“Kelly Smith really stepped up and she was one of the reasons that we won that game,” said Matz.

Rider would once again go ahead at 45:35 on Sarah Artale’s second goal of the game. The Huskies followed it up at 58:53 on a goal by sophomore Jennifer North.

Rider would score again, and after allowing the third goal of the game, Slowik was pulled in favor of freshman Jeannette Tremblay. NU controlled play for most of the second half, and scored two goals just minutes away from each other. Smith tied the game at 75:59 and Jess Pfeifer put the Huskies ahead for the first time with a goal at 77:27.

The victory against Rider marked the Huskies third win of the season and put them above .500. This season has not had the impressive quick starts to which this team is accustomed. The Huskies lost several of their key players last year and several of the team’s upperclassmen are currently plagued with injuries.

Left to play is a team that consists of 15 freshmen and currently has one senior and two juniors. With the plethora of inexperience on this team, there is much uncertainty about how they will do this season.

“There are 15 freshman on this team and they are all just dying to play. They really help to push the upperclassman,” said Matz. “This team is one that is different form day to day and they just keep on growing.

“I wish that we could have started the season out a little stronger, but 85% of our team consists of sophomores and freshman,” said Matz.

This might not be the worst thing to happen to the Huskies, who over the past two seasons have developed a habit of starting off great and then as injuries hit they slow down quickly. They have barely missed the playoffs in each of those seasons.

“I think that this team is the opposite of the ones that we have had in the past. We are starting to play our best soccer now, which is a great time to have it,” said Matz.

One of the top players so far for this team has been freshman Pfeifer. She currently leads the team in both goals and points. According to Matz her play so far has been no surprise.

“Our recruiting class was the top class in America East. We knew that Jess was very good, and we know that there are other players who are too,” said Matz.

Northeastern must now play five straight road games and will not be back at home until October 11 when they face America East-rival University of New Hampshire.

On Friday the 27th NU will face Long Island and they will finish the weekend off with a game against Stony Brook, one which will bring back some sour memories for this team.

“Last year we felt like we let a game against Stony Brook get away from us, and it was one that might have kept us from getting the points that we needed to get into the playoffs,” said Matz.

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