By Maggie Cassidy
The Huskies split its season opening games at the Akron Tournament in Akron, Ohio, this weekend, taking a double-overtime 1-0 win over Binghamton Friday and dropping a tough match to St. Francis, 2-0, Sunday.
Sophomore midfielder Sofia Palmquist lofted the game-winner against Binghamton (0-1) keeper Erin Iman in the 114th minute to end the back-and-forth action Friday night. The Huskies had trouble carrying that energy to game two, giving up a breakaway goal to St. Francis’ Rachael Seibert in the first half before the Terriers (1-1) put the game away with about 15 minutes to play.
The Huskies managed just a pair of shots on goal in the full 90 minutes against St. Francis.
“Both games this weekend, the way we played reflected that we have a lot of newcomers on this team and a big turnover from last year to this year,” said head coach Ed Matz. “We aren’t really playing our best soccer yet. We need to gel a little bit, and form an identity for this team. We didn’t have it this weekend.”
His young squad’s preseason has been plagued with setbacks like injuries and illness, and Friday was the first time the entire starting lineup played together.
The setbacks didn’t let up, as highly anticipated UConn transfer Maria Picard suffered a significant injury to her shins Friday, sidelining her for the weekend. The junior will likely reenter play by this Friday’s home opener against Harvard at Parsons Field at 7 p.m.
“We missed her on Sunday because she’s a high energy type of player and only plays at one speed, which is 110 percent,” Matz said.
Northeastern goalie and senior captain Annie Petrofsky also struggled to find her groove in the opening weekend, playing with an injury since there is no second- or third-string keeper behind her. She totaled four saves during the weekend.
“She needs to play more consistent. She’s another one that’s been slowed by injuries as well,” Matz said. “She’s also playing with the fact that we don’t have a backup right now. When you know that you’re the only goalkeeper and there’s nobody behind you, you tend to play a bit more cautiously.”
Despite the slow starts, Palmquist and junior defender Brenna Matthews contributed solid efforts for the Huskies. Junior Emilee Ellison and senior captain Laura Johnson also stood out on defense.
“I’m not too worried about this. We’re just starting to gel. It happens to a young team,” Matz said. “I’ve never experienced in nine years the injuries that this team has had, and that coupled with the stomach flu and some of the misfortunes so far. But I think if we stay positive and take baby steps and get a bit more healthy, feel a bit better and get our starters on the field, we’ll be OK.”
