Mid-August is often referred to as the “dog days of summer.” Whoever coined the phrase was probably referring to the oppressive heat that is typical this time of year, but the term could also refer to Northeastern’s athletics preparation and summer training.
Believe it or not, classes are less than a month away, with fall sports scheduled to begin two weeks prior. While I can’t say I’m thrilled to return to the grueling routine of papers and tests that occupy much of my time, I can say that I’m thrilled our sports teams will be back in full swing. Here is what I’ll be looking for from each of the fall squads, as well as the best time to catch each team in action:
Football: A difficult schedule may be the only thing preventing the Huskies from having a breakout season on the gridiron. NU has perhaps the most challenging schedule in school history, with trips to Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division 1-A) schools Ball State and Syracuse and tough non-conference opponents Georgia Southern and UC Davis. Fifteen starters return from a team that was raw but competitive last year. Quarterback Anthony Orio will guide the offense and lineman Wil Colon will anchor the defense. Your best chance to see the team is a four-week stretch from Sept. 27 to Oct. 18 when the Huskies will be featured on Comcast Sports Net every Saturday afternoon. Three of those games will be at home, where Parsons Field is sure to be packed with fans.
Volleyball: The volleyball team will set its sights on improving upon last season’s 19-13 record. Head coach Ken Nichols will have senior Lauren DeTurk, a second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) selection, and sophomore Caitlyn Tittl, the 2007 CAA Rookie of the Year, back to lead the way. The American Volleyball Coaches Association ranked Northeastern as the 10th best program in the East at the conclusion of last season. With this kind of recognition, the team will have the privilege of hosting the Mass Challenge tournament at Solomon Court Sept. 19 and 20. Considering most volleyball tournaments are held in warmer climate venus, that the Huskies are host of this tournament calls attention to the respect they’re gaining.
Women’s soccer: Head coach Ed Matz hit the recruiting trail to bring youth to this fall’s women’s soccer squad. Twelve freshman are on the roster, making up almost half the total number of players, though not all will see playing time right away. This year’s class is highly touted and brings some much-needed depth to the team. Senior co-captains Brenna Matthews and Emilee Ellison assume the mentor role for the Huskies. Two early games at home against Manhattan Aug. 29 and St. Francis (PA) Aug. 31 will allow the girls to get a jump start on the season before they travel to the University of Minnesota for a tournament in September.
Men’s soccer: Under the direction of the Eastern Massachusetts High School Soccer Coaches Association’s college coach of the year Brian Ainscough, the men’s soccer team will be prepared for the upcoming season. Captains Jonathan Batista, Brendan Ennis and Lars Okland look to build off last-season’s strong finish and bring Northeastern to the top of the CAA standings with their play on the pitch. No game is more important than the Sept. 23 tilt against rival Boston University at Parsons Field.
Field hockey: As solid a program as there is in the country, the Northeastern field hockey team hopes to add to a stretch of winning at least one postseason game in 17 of the past 18 years. The winningest female coach in school history Cheryl Murtagh enters her 21st season as the Huskies’ coach with aspirations of advancing farther in the CAA Tournament in November. The big test for the team will be Oct. 4 when Stanford makes the trip east to Boston to face the Huskies.
Men’s and women’s cross country: NU’s cross country teams placed in the top 10 in all but four meets last year and show no signs of slowing down. Brian Brunelli, Brian Kennedy and Mike McCurry are the seniors on the men’s side with Kristie Gagnon, Katie Malone, Laura McCloskey and Brittany Moriarty as seniors on the women’s side. Both squads have their sights set on Oct. 11 for the New England Championship, which will be held in Boston at Franklin Park.
Keep your eyes peeled for each team during their fall seasons. With your support the Huskies will excel further. The dog days of fall are almost here.
– Patrick McHugh can be reached at
