By Chris Judd and Jake Fischer, News Staff
Following a winless trip to North Carolina for the Nike Invitational, the Northeastern men’s soccer team returned to Brookline for a two-game home stand at Parsons Field, a pitch they haven’t lost on since Nov. 6, 2010. The Huskies proved successful in two challenging contests, extending their unbeaten streak in Brookline to 18-straight games.
Coach Brian Ainscough’s team took care of business, defeating Fairfield University 5-2 on Saturday night and shutting out Fordham University 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon.
“In college soccer, it’s not just about performance, it’s about winning,” Ainscough, reigning Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Coach of the Year, said. “We had some great performances down south, so it’s nice to see positive results here at home.”
The Huskies offense started off strong in the first half against Fairfield, outshooting them 6-1 and leading 2-0 at the end of the first.
Northeastern’s first goal came as freshman forward/midfielder Robbie Schallmo sent a pass to sophomore forward Terence Carter, who had a breakaway. The initial shot was blocked, but Carter kicked the rebound into the bottom right corner for his first goal of the season.
“It felt really good because I was injured during the preseason, so it’s been a struggle,” Carter said. “It’s always nice to get your first couple goals.”
Sophomore forward Devin Devoy scored off an assist from junior forward Donovan Fayd’Herbe de Maudave with just two minutes left in the first half off. Devoy headed the ball into the bottom right corner off a corner kick for his first collegiate career goal.
“I think [our team’s performance] was really good,” Devoy said. “I think I’ll give the credit to Donovan for the beautiful ball in, so I was just finishing off the great play.”
Northeastern quickly extended their lead in the second as redshirt junior defender Mike Lobben sent a deep pass that senior midfielder Dante Marini put into the bottom left corner two minutes into the half.
Carter got his second goal in the game 60 minutes in when he dribbled through two defenders and found the back of the net. Devoy then followed with his second goal in the 65th minute. Marini assisted on both goals with freshman forward/midfielder Robbie Schallmo assisting on Devoy’s score.
This was the first time that two different players each scored twice in a single game for the Huskies since last year’s CAA semifinals when former Husky Don Anding and current senior Conner Alexander both scored two goals
“We have some new boys in so it’s going to be tough, but we still have a lot of returners,” Carter said. “We still play the same way and know each other so if we can get to the NCAA and win the CAA again that would be amazing.”
The Huskies returning chemistry has been most evident on the defensive side of the ball during this young season and it spoke volumes throughout the squad’s 1-0 victory over Fordham.
Not only did Northeastern’s defensive unit limit Fordham to just five shots compared to the Huskies’ 15 for the entire match, but sophomore defender Matt Callahan was the only player to find the back of the net. The Newton native scored from the center of the box off of a corner kick rebound in the 46th minute.
“Our defense, we knew, was a strong suit this year, with three returning starters,” Callahan said. “We know that if we keep shutouts then we’re always going to win or at least tie games. It was just a flick on, I anticipated the goalie would’ve dropped it and I came in and finished it.”
After his team sluggishly played the first period to a scoreless draw, Ainscough went to his bench for an extra punch in the second half, a move he credits for the increase in tempo that ultimately resulted in Callahan’s score.
“What was good again was that there was two or three players that we brought in off the bench that re-energized us, Matt Greenblatt, [Mike] Lobben and Christian [McKenna],” he said. “They came in and I think really changed the game for us.”
McKenna, a freshman, managed four shots in 58 minutes of substitute action.
With the victory, a win that sophomore goalkeeper Dylan Faber sealed with a huge save in the 76th minute, the Huskies have built some nice momentum heading into this week’s road trip. Northeastern will travel to Providence on Saturday and then go across town to face Boston University on Tuesday.
