For field hockey head coach Cheryl Murtagh, one equals 300.
After a 3-2 home win against Stanford Saturday night, that’s how many wins she needs to reach the 300 mark. Northeastern had a chance at New Hampshire (5-6) Sunday evening, but dropped the game 4-1 to the Wildcats.
Murtagh entered Sunday’s game with an all-time record of 22-6-1 against UNH, but the Wildcats tacked on two first-half goals and cruised to the 4-1 win. Sophomore midfielder Pam Aldridge scored her sixth goal of the year at the 55:36 mark to cut the deficit to 3-1, but a late score in the closing minutes by Wildcat forward Whitney Frates sealed the game.
“It’s tough for the team to come back [and play back-to-back games]. We played very well [against Stanford]. It’s too bad, but give credit to UNH,” Murtagh said.
Prior to yesterday’s loss at UNH, the Huskies (6-2, 0-2 Colonial Athletic Association) secured Murtagh’s 299th career win, squeaking out a 3-2 win over Stanford (3-7, 1-2 Pac-10).
Senior forward and co-captain Ashley Bascetta got the Huskies on the board at the 6:06 mark when she pounced on a loose ball in front of the Stanford net, sending it past Cardinal goalkeeper Alessandra Moss for her fourth goal of the season.
The Cardinal knotted it up when defender Jennifer Luther scored her first goal of the year at 16:31.
The Huskies took the lead back when Aldridge was tripped by Moss. Aldridge was awarded a penalty shot and converted, giving the Huskies a 2-1 lead at the half.
The Cardinal tied it up again when midfielder Midori Uehara fired a shot past Husky senior keeper Colleen Duffy.
Northeastern took the lead for good at 59:36 off a penalty corner. Senior co-captain and back Jillian Wilkes sent the ball in to sophomore back Anne-Reike Stuhlmann who passed it to Bascetta. Bascetta then found a wide open Wilkes, who redirected the ball past Moss.
Northeastern’s defense held off several late Cardinal charges. Sophomore back Bridget Griffin broke up a late Stanford charge and Wilkes made a nice play to break up a Cardinal attack, taking the ball of the stick of a Stanford player.
“Jill Wilkes and Bridget Griffin made some great plays, it was a real team effort,” Murtagh said. “Stanford is a real good scoring team, it was good to hold them to two goals.”
The Huskies will face Harvard Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Jordan Field.
