By Eric Creamer
The field hockey team lost at Connecticut 2-1 Tuesday afternoon after Liame Dixon put the Huskies ahead 1-0 right before the second half. Goals by Lauren Christie and Mary Jo Malche sealed the deal for UConn (13-7, 5-0 Big East), and dropped NU to 15-4 on the year.
The Huskies won their second consecutive regular season America East title on Saturday with a 2-1 victory over rival Boston University. NU finished in a tie for first with New Hampshire, but won the tie-breaker with a win over the Wildcats one week ago.
“It’s nice to come home again for the conference tournament,” said senior Aleisha Bemis. “If we make it to the NCAA Tournament, I feel that we’re prepared and because we’re a veteran team, we have an edge.”
Coach Cheryl Murtagh said that she hopes that her team keeps playing well in the tournament, and that they don’t get ahead of themselves.
“I just want them to put up a very good effort,” said Murtagh. “We need to have the right attitude. I don’t expect us to lose, and the players shouldn’t either.”
Many feel that this team will undoubtedly win another conference championship, but nothing is written in stone.
“I don’t think that we’ll lose in the tournament because we’ll be pretty charged up,” Bemis said. “We’re assuming the America East is ours, but, obviously, we can’t say that anything is definite.”
Murtagh agreed with her senior defenseman.
“I want to make sure that the players focus on each game rather than looking far ahead,” Murtagh said. “We can’t take anyone lightly, and if we’re not ready, we can get beat.”
At Boston University over the weekend, NU faced a tough Terrier squad that was looking to make the conference tournament. In the second half, junior Sarah Webber went one-on-one with BU goalkeeper Sue Harrington and was able to get by her. She lost the ball, but NU sophomore Mari Creatini cleaned up, scoring the eventual game-winning goal.
In the first half, senior Maureen Connelly put the Huskies up with an unassisted goal, and BU’s Kara Rossi tied things up at halftime with a goal of her own. In the last moments of the game, the Terriers battled to put the game into overtime, but goalkeeper Emily Roy and the Husky defenders were able to thwart their chances.
“Boston University is a very good team and were ranked 15th in the polls,” Murtagh said. “They’re one of the best defensive teams that I’ve seen this season, and I know that it must be disappointing for them to not make the conference tournament.
“It was a big win. I have total respect for that team.”
Bemis also felt that handing their biggest rivals a loss was a good boost for the Huskies.
“Beating BU was big, and I think that it shows our consistency,” Bemis said. “We always want to beat them, and, right now, I think that we have a good feeling that we’re back on track after losing to Maine a few weeks ago.”
Northeastern was ranked seventh in the nation after the last poll, and the Huskies are the clear favorites in the conference tournament. Taking place this week at Sweeney Field, NU will be home, but Murtagh said that it will not be easy.
“We have Vermont in the first game, and they’re an improved team,” Murtagh said. “They hit well, and they have a good goaltender. We need to put up a good effort, and we’ll then play either Maine or New Hampshire. Either way, it will be a good game.”
Bemis said that the team is excited going into the post-season, and they believe that they could put together a successful run.
“We want to compete in the NCAA Tournament and make it to the Final Four,” Bemis said. “I think it’s definitely possible, we can do well in big games. We’re known for our passing, speed, and team play. That’s what sets us apart from everyone else.”
The Huskies were 15-3 on the season and 4-1 in the America East before Tuesday’s non-league finale against Connecticut on the road. The Huskies will meet fourth-seeded Vermont in the first semifinal on Friday at 1 p.m.
