After starting the season with promise, the Northeastern men’s soccer team ended the regular season on a sour note. Senior day, the last home game of the year, was no time for celebration, as the Huskies lost a huge game to visiting Albany last Saturday, 4-1.
“I was perplexed at how flat some of our key players looked in such an important game for us,” said coach Ed Matz. “I said to the team after the game that this was the worst loss I have ever had at Parsons Field.”
The loss solidified the Huskies worst fear … no home field advantage for the playoffs, as they dropped from a potential number two seed, all the way to the fifth.
“We’re thrown off too easily,” Matz said. “If we play with composure, we’re a very good team, but this team just hasn’t been able to overcome adversity at all this year.”
Throughout the year the Dogs seemed to knock themselves out of games if a few calls went the other way.
“Some players need to start thinking more about the team rather than themselves,” Matz said. “Especially now that it’s the playoffs.”
The Great Danes scored first on Saturday at Parsons Field, but NU sophomore Jeff Gannon answered just 47 seconds later with his second goal of the season.
That was the last bright spot for Northeastern, as Albany scored the winner with just nine minutes remaining in the first half, as well as netting two insurance goals in the second to seal the win.
“After the game we were all pretty bummed out,” said junior co-captain Joe Parrish. “None of us wanted to enter the tournament with the fifth seed.”
The loss signaled the end of a disappointing regular season for the Huskies, as they finish with an overall record of 8-7-3, 4-4-1 in conference. All is not lost, however, as their first round match against number four BU (9-7-3, 4-2-3 AE) is as close to home field advantage as the Dogs should see this post season.
“It’s definitely helpful to be playing BU,” Parrish said. “Not only do we not have to travel at all, but all of our fans can come cheer us on too.”
The last time these two teams met was Oct. 11 when the visiting Huskies were beaten 4-2 in a closely contested match.
“They’re a good team, and they know how to capitalize on little mistakes,” Parrish said. “If we can focus up, and not hurt ourselves, we should be able to pull it out.”
For seniors Atha Kirkopoulos and Omar Thiam, Wednesday’s first round game could be their last in Husky red and black.
“If this team is going to go anywhere, Atha needs to step it up,” Matz said.
Although he’s the team’s scoring leader with 14 points, the 2002 America East Offensive Player of the Year has just half the points he had last year (28) when he carried the team to the title and was named the championship’s Most Outstanding Player.
The winner of Wednesday’s match-up will travel to Maryland to take on number one seed UMBC.
“There is no doubt in my mind that if we play with composure, and keep our heads, there isn’t a team we can’t beat,” said Matz.
Wednesday’s game is at 7 p.m. at BU’s Nickerson Field.
