By Matt Foster

If anyone happens to run into women’s hockey coach Laura Schuler this week, chances are they will meet a content coach.

Even though her squad dropped two games to No. 10 Ohio State over Homecoming weekend, the coach has maintained a positive attitude regarding her team’s play.

“Overall, I thought they played very well,” Schuler said. “Both games the first two periods were tremendous. The majority of the games were tied we just weren’t able to come out on top.”

On Saturday, a strong performance by senior Marisa Hourihan and two goals by sophomore forward Nikki Petrich couldn’t keep the Huskies in the game, as they fell 6-2. Six different Buckeyes were able to find the back of the net as Ohio State improved to 4-0-0 on the season and NU dropped to 1-2-0.

“Ohio State is a top-10 team,” Schuler said. “And we were right with them for the majority of both games.”

Sophomore center Mallory Peckels put the Buckeyes on the scoreboard first at 3:50 into the opening period, hanging around the goal just long enough to tip in a pass from winger Jana Harrigan.

NU scored in the second on a power play. Petrich took advantage of a misplay by OSU goalie Erika Vanderveer, slipping the puck between her legs to bring NU even with the Buckeyes.

“Nikki’s a player that keeps getting better,” said Schuler of 2004’s NU points leader. “Any [time] she gets to play, she [gets] better.”

The forward did just that, putting Northeastern on top during another advantage 10:00 into the second. Junior Ashley Bielawski assisted on the play after putting a backhander on net only to see the shot rebound off Vanderveer and fall in front of Petrich, who placed it under the goalie for her second goal of the period. NU couldn’t hold the lead without Petrich, giving up a goal to Buckeye junior forward Katie Maroney 14:01 into the second while Petrich was in the box for slashing. The Huskies failed to hold a lead for the rest of the game, as the Buckeyes took over for good in the third.

Peckels struck again, finding senior center Jane Harrigan, who slipped past the Northeastern defense and forced a wrist shot past Hourihan 8:32 into the third. The lone bright spot for the Huskies was the play of Petrich, who has become a favorite of the coach.

“I’m glad she’s on my team,” Schuler said.

On Friday, NU held OSU scoreless for the first period. However, the offense was unable to put a puck past Vanderveer, who made 26 saves in the win. Freshman center Shelby Aldous of Ohio scored the game-winning goal 7:50 into the second period, her second of the season.