By Matthew MacCormack, news correspondent
Touting an impressive 11-4-2 record, the Northeastern women’s soccer team is in stellar form as postseason play approaches.
After last week’s loss to Hofstra University snapped a five-game Husky win streak, the women got back on track with two road wins this weekend. The Huskies defeated the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW) 1-0 on Friday and then took down the College of Charleston Cougars on Sunday with a commanding 3-0 win. With a 6-1 record in the conference, NU is now atop Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rankings.
It was three freshman attackers who made the difference for the Huskies on Friday at UNCW. Midfielder Hannah Lopiccolo and forwards Kayla Cappuzzo and Carly Wilhelm each tallied two shots in the contest. In addition to providing most of the offensive pressure, Lopiccolo and Cappuzzo linked up for the game’s only goal. In the 31st minute, Lopiccolo notched her team-leading fourth assist of the season, firing a cross to Cappuzzo, who buried home the eventual game winner for Northeastern. Senior keeper Paige Burnett made two saves as the back line kept a dangerous Seahawks attack in check.
On Sunday, the women traveled to Charleston and left with a decisive 3-0 victory over the Cougars that helped clinch a spot in the CAA tournament. The defense didn’t allow a single shot on goal all game, but the offense didn’t click at first. After NU couldn’t muster a score in the first half, there was some concern that the Cougars would steal a win at home, but that didn’t last long.
In the 61st minute, sophomore midfielder Krista Meaglia put NU up with her first goal of the season. Senior striker Lahaina Zoller sent a low cross into the box, and Meaglia found the other end to give Northeastern a 1-0 lead. Ten minutes later, sophomore outside back Skylar LeBlanc assisted Cappuzzo for a second NU goal. With a mere 35 seconds left in the game, the Huskies tickled the twine once again, as junior striker Shayna Blackwood sent home a header off an assist from redshirt freshman striker Taylor Caparo. The Huskies would take the 3-0 lead to the whistle.
With the late insurance goal, Blackwood became the 12th Husky to find the back of the net this year.
Head Coach Tracey Leone said she is happy with the abundance of attacking options on this team.
“A lot of people are getting involved in the attack, and we are having quite a bit of variety,” she said. “The production for goals is coming from a lot of different people and that’s a great thing.”
Leone is also excited about how the defense performed this weekend; the Husky backline earned its 12th and 13th clean sheets of the season, leading the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Senior center back Awnalisa Walker says the back line’s confidence has lead to its efficiency.
“We’re really confident with one another, so we know that each of our players are going to be in the right spot and do the right thing when they need to,” she said.
In addition to a solid front-to-back performance by the team this weekend, three individual players were recognized nationally for their season-long success. Lopiccolo and Cappuzzo, along with sophomore outside back Mackenzie Dowd, were all nominated to Top Drawer Soccer’s midseason Top 100. Lopiccolo was ranked as the 26th best freshman, and Cappuzzo checked in at 37. Additionally, Dowd was deemed to be the number 98 sophomore in the nation.
Leone said she is thrilled for the three underclassmen.
“It’s wonderful for them to get that national recognition. I think they definitely deserve it,” Leone said. “Their hard work and their commitment is really paying off and people are acknowledging that.”
While the accomplishments of the underclassman trifecta are noteworthy, all eyes will be on the senior class as they approach the final two games of the season. This weekend, the women will host the University of Delaware and Drexel University, seeking two more wins to clinch a number one seed and home-field advantage in the CAA tournament.
Walker, one of seven seniors on this year’s squad, said that the team feels bittersweet about the season coming to a close.
“It’s definitely kind of sad,” Walker said. “But we’re happy that we have a chance to keep playing on our home field if we win this weekend, and hopefully we can get two wins so we can continue out our play at Parsons.”
The seniors hope that they can close out their Husky careers with an extensive postseason run. With two important games on the horizon, NU will have to keep things clicking this weekend. According to Walker, the best way to do that is to not change a thing.
“We need to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” the senior said. “[We have to] just focus on taking one game at a time.”
Leone understands how crucial these next games are.
“Certainly these games are going to be really, really important for us,” she said. “Hopefully [we] put ourselves in great position heading into postseason play.”
Photo courtesy Zack Williamson, Northeastern Athletics
