By Patrick McHugh
Annie Petrofsky looks to help out her team whenever she can. As the goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team, Petrofsky denied opponents scoring opportunities with strong performances in front of the net.
As part of her co-op, she worked with a company that made new technology in the bio-medical field, an area of work Petrofsky might continue to pursue.
“I am a mechanical engineering major but I’ve been interested in the bio-medical work as well,” Petrofsky said. “Technology and how things work interests me but it would be nice to make a contribution that would help other people.”
During her time in goal with the Huskies, Petrofsky made a big contribution, although it took time for her to be able to do so. As a freshman she played in four games and recorded one shutout win. An injury forced her to redshirt in 2004, and she backed up goalkeeper Mariel Wilner in 2005. Petrofsky benefited from spending time with Wilner and learned to improve her game.
“Mariel taught me a lot, especially about how to train in the offseason,” Petrofsky said. “She had a great passion for the game and a good work ethic, and I looked up to her a lot.”
As a junior, Petrofsky saw significant playing time and used what she had learned to her advantage. Starting all 19 games for Northeastern during the 2006-07 season, Petrofsky set a school record with eight shutouts. Making 97 saves and allowing 22 goals over the year, her 1.11 goals against average (GAA) is third best all-time at Northeastern.
Petrofsky had another strong season as a senior in 2007. Once again, she started every game for the Huskies, making 136 saves and allowing only 25 goals in 18 games. She had four shutouts, her GAA was 1.39 and her save percentage was an impressive .845 percent.
Head coach Ed Matz said he was not surprised Petrofsky was so effective in net.
“I think sitting out as a redshirt and being behind Mariel made her hungry and she took advantage when she was called on to play,” Matz said. “She matured a lot over time and had good coaches working with her so she would be ready.
To be honest she always had the ability to play, she just needed the opportunity to do so.”
Matz first noticed Petrofsky when she played on the Stars of Massachusetts, a youth club team that showcases some of the best players in the Commonwealth.
Petrofsky played within the system for eight years and was soon recruited to play soccer in college at some major universities. Petrofsky’s decision to play at Northeastern was influenced by the school’s atmosphere, she said.
“I visited the school and got to hang out with some of the girls on the team and they were really great girls,” Petrofsky said. “The fact that I would be getting a good education with the co-op program and it wasn’t too far from home [Sudbury] made my decision easy.”
Now that Petrofsky is finished playing at Northeastern she said she is enjoying her time away from soccer. With some free time finally available, Petrofsky said she is focusing on her last semester in school and has been able to hang out with her friends more than she has in the past.
Matz said he is pleased Petrofsky was on his team but now must focus on replacing her.
“We have some young goalies on our roster that we hope we can contribute for us,” Matz said. “Our hope is that they just grow and learn and become the type of player that Annie was.”
Petrofsky said she is ready to retire her cleats, but added it will be difficult to leave teammates with whom she has built so many friendships. She said her peers made her time at Northeastern worthwhile.
“Without a doubt the best part of playing here was being around my teammates,” Petrofsky said. “My teammates and I had such a great relationship and I made so many friends here. Even the girls that graduated before me I am still friends with. I was lucky to play on a team with such a close group of girls.”
