Field hockey has been a constant for Northeastern’s senior goalkeeper Kristi Merashoff since her early childhood. What started off as simply following the trend of her elementary school friends turned into a passion that would take her much further than the field.

“Being a student athlete is extremely rewarding, because you get to work really hard, but I think you also get a lot out of it, life skills and stuff like that,” Merashoff said.

Merashoff began playing field hockey in fourth grade, joining a club team alongside her peers. She started off as a field player before changing to the goal full time when seventh grade rolled around — and there was a simple reason for the switch.

“I liked the pads, so that’s why I decided to become a goalie,” Merashoff said. “I was like, ‘These are awesome.’ So I became a goalie full time.”

The lighthearted nature of why Merashoff switched is a true glimpse into her personality — both as a player and a person. 

Graduate student midfielder and team captain Lauren Rowe chimed in on the irreplaceable energy Merashoff brings to the team. Rowe and Merashoff have played together for the last three years, fostering a close friendship.“She’s amazing at being that person who can switch from being silly, goofy Kristi to locked in focus, ready for game time,” Rowe said. 

The goalkeeper is one of the most pivotal and foundational players on the field. They have to maintain composure and focus while uplifting the team’s spirits, and Merashoff does just that. 

Head coach Pam Spuehler said Merashoff’s demeanor as a goalkeeper maintains  vital energy on the field. 

“She brings a lot of positive energy, and the team just loves to be around her … having a goalkeeper that people enjoy being around, who already communicates a lot … she has the voice to thrive,” Spuehler said.

Her wholehearted enthusiasm for the sport is also reflected in the view her teammates hold about her. “Anytime Kristi’s on my net, I just have confidence and know that she has my back,” Rowe said. 

Merashoff’s hard work and commitment to her team has paid off during her Northeastern career. She worked her way up —redshirting as a freshman, playing in three games her sophomore year and being in goal 17 out of 18 games her junior year — to today, where she started in goal for the Huskies in every game and was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week Sept. 16.

Merashoff has excelled this season on the field. Over the last three months, she has recorded a 69.4 save percentage. Her game records this season include nine saves against Boston College and Syracuse, seven saves against University of New Hampshire and six saves against University of Delaware and University of Maine. She also led the team to a shutout against Stanford University. She logged an impressive 1,118 minutes in goal, assisting the team to a 12-7, 5-1 CAA record this season. 

How does she do it? Merashoff acknowledged the pressure that comes with playing a solo role on the field, but shared the importance of focus and discipline.

“Creating a solution-based mindset on how I’m going to fix [mistakes] next time and how it won’t happen again has really helped in just having fun when I’m planning just to alleviate the pressure, because at the end of the day, this sport is supposed to be fun, and that’s what we’re here for,” Merashoff said.

The Husky’s drive to be the best version of herself is rooted in growth. She has worked hard during her collegiate career to become the role model she once had, pushing herself to allow her leadership to shine through. Her teammates and coaches recognize how essential Merashoff is and how her ambitions have paid off.

“She’s been outstanding with her ability to move on as a goalkeeper,” Spuehler said. “Goals go in, it’s gonna happen. She used to dwell on those, and now she has the ability to play on and move forward. She has totally changed her mindset which allowed her ability to make saves more consistently.”

Rowe also weighed in on Merashoff’s growth. “She’s massively stepped up into that role of being a leader on the field, being our back and being our voice,” Rowe said. “The way she’s matured and developed into the person who she is today is massive for the team.” 

This season was the best for the Huskies since Merashoff joined the team. Northeastern earned five conference wins for the first time since 2014, ending the regular season strong with a nine game win streak. However, the team was knocked out of the CAA tournament with a 3-1 loss to Delaware. Even in their losses, the teams’ unity and offensive drive was evident across the board. Merashoff’s presence has played a huge role in this success.

The Husky’s stellar mentality, focused around her healthy mindset and mindfulness, all boils down to one thing.

“You get out what you put into things,” Merashoff said, reflecting on how her hard work has paid off, leading her to being a strong player on the field, trusted role model and friend. “Being an athlete is something I’m really grateful for, because it gives me an opportunity to do all the things that I love to do, which is talk to people and compete. It’s a great combination.” 

What sets her apart is her ability to connect with her team on a personal and athletic level, building trust during long practices by being dependable in the cage or cracking jokes., Merashoff uses her bubbly personality and athletic drive to help guide her team, on and off the field.