By Patrick McHugh
The 2008 women’s soccer team is looking to erase the memories of a difficult season last year that was plagued by injuries and saw the team miss the playoffs.
And four games into this season the team has shown this year should bring better results – especially with the help of an influx of freshman talent.
In their season opener against Manhattan Aug. 29, the Huskies played tough throughout but were unable to find the net in the 1-0 loss. Northeastern outshot Manhattan 15 to 6 but could not put one past Jasper junior goalkeeper Caitlin Trupiano, who made five saves. Senior midfielder Brittany Duhamel scored the only goal of the game at 30:55, firing a shot just over Northeastern freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Gordon’s head after she slipped.
Gordon, who is one of five freshmen to start for the team, made four saves in her debut.
Two days later the team returned for its second game at Parsons Field, this time against St. Francis (Pa.). Once again Northeastern held an advantage in offensive play, outshooting its opponents 19-9. Neither side could put one past the keepers and the game ended in a double-overtime tie.
The Huskies are in a rare position, with five freshmen in the
starting lineup. Gordon, forwards Veronica Napoli, Laura Holmstedt; and midfielders Kelly Matthews, Gabbi Jatkola have all started games for the team thus far.
Gordon said the opportunity to start led to some anxiety that has since eased.
“It was a little scary at first, a lot of nerves for the first game,” Gordon said. “It’s a big achievement to be starting right away and obviously everyone wants to play well. I think all the freshmen feel pretty confident now and we just go out and play.”
Following the first two home games, the squad traveled to St. Paul, Minn. to take part in the Regina Moench Tournament hosted by the University of Minnesota. In their first game of the tournament, Sept. 5, Northeastern got a 2-1 victory over Creighton. Senior defender and co-captain Brenna Matthews gave Northeastern the win with her penalty kick goal at 105:50 in the second overtime.
The Huskies had fallen behind early on and trailed most of the game until Jatkola drilled a shot into the back of the net at 88:54 to tie the game and send it to overtime. Napoli led the offense by putting six shots on goal and drawing the foul on Creighton defenders that set up Matthews’ penalty kick goal.
In their second game of the tournament, Sept. 7, the Huskies earned their first shutout victory of the season, defeating Ohio 2-0. Junior forward Liza Rebello scored both goals for Northeastern, the first on a header assisted by Napoli in the 15th minute and the second an unassisted goal in the 58th minute. Matthews,Rebello, and Jatkola, were named to the All-Tournament team.
“The Minnesota trip was a great experience overall,” Gordon said.
“After losing our first game and tying in our second game, the games in Minnesota were a jump start for us to play well the rest of the way. We have a two-game winning streak and we want to keep that going against UNH [University of New Hampshire].”
Senior captain Brenna Matthews is quick to point out the significance of starting the season tallies in the win column.
“It means a lot to have a winning record early on,” Matthews said.
“Last year we had a rough season so it’s nice to come away with two
wins on the road against two really good teams. It definitely works as a confidence boost for all of us. It’s very uplifting.”
She also praised the play and composure of the freshmen who have played a large role on the team.
“I sometimes don’t see them as freshmen,” said Matthews. “They’re all so mature and have adapted so well that it’s not a big deal if we lack playing experience. It’s nice to have so many players step up big for us. I really have high hopes for this season.”
Northeastern returns to action with a home game at Parsons Field Friday at 6 p.m. against New Hampshire.
The match against New Hampshire will kick off a five game stretch for the Huskies in which they never have to leave the Boston area.
Three of the matches will be at Parsons field (UNH, Bryant Sept. 21 and Drexel Sept. 26) , while the other two will be played at Boston University (Sept. 14) and Harvard (Sept. 17).
