By Jason Kornwitz
Heading into the final six games of the regular season, the Northeastern women’s soccer team faces a steep challenge: win out or fail to advance to the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) tournament.
After two more one-goal setbacks last week, the Huskies (3-9-1, 0-5-0) dropped their fifth straight game and remain winless in their last eight contests.
While pleased with his teams’ effort level and preparedness, NU coach Ed Matz simply said most opponents have an innate advantage over the Huskies.
“These teams are more seasoned than us. They’re more more funded than us. We need to overcome a lot to beat these teams,” Matz said. “We need to overcome our own mentality against these teams. Right now, it’s just easier for us to find ways to lose than to find ways to win.”
Last Sunday, NU traveled to Maryland for a conference match-up with Towson. Despite out-shooting their opponent 19 to 7, the Huskies netted only one goal when junior forward Kristen Kowalik ripped a rebound shot past the Tigers’ goalie just 10 minutes into the second half.
The score cut the lead to 2-1, but two first-half goals by Towson (6-5-1, 1-4-0) held up.
For much of the season, the Huskies have dealt with unlucky bounces and opponents strong enough to cash in on the few mistakes NU seems to make each game.
On Friday, NU played another road game against George Mason. The 6-5 overtime loss saw the Huskies score more goals than they had in their previous eight.
In the first half, NU started the scoring barrage when Kowalik put one on the board less than two minutes in. The Patriots tied it just 12 minutes later after a long shot from 30 yards away slipped past goalie Mariel Wilner.
NU and George Mason went back and forth, and at the half, the Huskies had the 4-3 advantage.
With just two minutes left in the second period, the Patriots tied the game. Four minutes into OT, a deflected ball scooted past Wilner. Despite the Huskies’ offensive explosion, they continue to rack up losses.
“There’s a chance [of us making the playoffs],” Matz said. “And there’s a chance of me winning the lottery, too.”
