By Kevin Williamson

Fresh off a first place victory at the Orange Bowl, the Northeastern swim and dive team entered a fan-filled Barletta Natatorium on Monday to face former America East rivals University of New Hampshire. Despite strong morale and several standout performances the Huskies fell, 157.5-142.5.

Monday’s meet marks the third consecutive Northeastern defeat at the hands of the Wildcats, including last season’s America East Conference Championship.

“There is definitely a rivalry,” head coach Roy Coates said.

Historically, UNH is among the Husky’s biggest rivals, Coates said, ranking with inner city opponents like BU and BC. Northeastern has defeated the Wildcats in five of the last six America East Conference Championships. Not until last season did UNH gain its first upper hand since 1999, setting off a series of NU defeats.

“I expected them to do pretty much what they did,” Coates said. “They’re a talented team with great athletes.”

Captain Sarah Reddick shared similar notions of what UNH would bring to the table.

“I was expecting the meet to be very close,” Reddick said. “I was hoping we would win but I knew it would come down to the last relay.”

Coates’ pre-meet predictions showed UNH to be a slightly stronger team.

“We performed at a high level. They performed at a high level