It was all building up to this moment.
After going 6-5 to open their season in non-conference play, facing nationally-ranked opponents such as Harvard University and long-time rivals like the University of Vermont, the Northeastern University field hockey team was headed south to take on Towson University and The College of William & Mary in the beginning bouts of Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) competition.
Despite splitting the weekend with a win over Towson and a loss at the hands of William & Mary, Northeastern had much to celebrate. Fourth-year forwards Kellie Stigas and Jamie Bartucca tallied new career bests and second-year midfielder Megan Barrett notched her first career goal.
In Maryland Friday, goals from Stigas and Barrett helped the Huskies hand the Tigers their 10th loss of the season. The pair managed to slip goals past Towson’s fourth-year goalkeeper Emilee Woodall, who is ranked first in the nation in saves per game with 11.17.
“We give Towson’s goalkeeper a lot of credit,” said head coach Cheryl Murtagh. “She played outstanding, she had a ton of saves on some pretty good shots that our team was giving her.”
Barrett got the Huskies on the board in the 25th minute when she scored off of a rebound from third-year forward Laura MacLachlan on a penalty corner.
“Meg [Barrett]’s a hard worker,” Murtagh said. “She’s one of those players that just does her job. We really are impressed with her and we’re happy that she got her first one.”
Northeastern controlled the game, outshooting Towson 16-4. Stigas had three of these shots, scoring the game-winner and her career-best fifth goal after the half on one of the Huskies’ 17 penalty corners. On the insertion from fourth-year Jamie Bartucca, Stigas set up at the top of the circle to drive one against the boards and put Northeastern up 2-0.
Towson spoiled the Huskies’ shutout efforts in the 63rd minute when they scored off of a penalty corner, but Northeastern managed to hold on for the win, their 18th over Towson in program history. First-year goalkeeper Julia Gluyas enjoyed her second career start, making a pair of saves in the first half.
Searching for similar success Sunday against William & Mary, the Huskies were shaken by the 19th-ranked Tribe. Their opponents notched two goals in the first nine minutes of play, adding one more late in the game to secure a 3-1 win over the Huskies.
Gluyas saw the start in net, but fellow first-year goalkeeper Julia Ennis stepped in after the Tribe’s two quick points, making eight saves and allowing just one goal in 62 minutes of play.
Bartucca tallied the Huskies’ lone goal in the 42nd minute of play. The goal was her 11th of the season, a career best for the Connecticut native.
“We were upset that we were down, but this team didn’t put their heads down,” Murtagh said. “They had been playing good field hockey even after the first nine minutes. I just think that we have to keep playing better defense, and we have to play it from the start.”
Northeastern will return to Dedham Friday, hosting their first CAA matchup against Hofstra University at 6 p.m. In a rare Monday night meeting, the Huskies will take on neighborhood rival Boston University at 6 p.m. during the team’s Welcome Back BBQ celebration. Buses will be available to shuttle students between campus and Dedham Field.
“We know we have to play defense throughout the entire game,” Murtagh said. “This team is a good passing team, they can score goals, but we need to have the defense. It’s important for us to get that second CAA win.”
