The field hockey team continues to struggle this season, dropping a pair of close games to Boston University and Towson last weekend. With the losses, the Huskies are 3-5 (0-1 CAA) and battling through their first losing season since 1999.
On Friday BU shutout Northeastern 1-0. The Huskies managed just two shots on goal despite taking five penalty corners. Seniors Sarah Eckhoff and Natalie Singelais, who normally combine for goals off corners, are seeing limited playing time.
“We really need to fix penalty corners,” said head coach Cheryl Murtagh. “Eckhoff was out with dehydration problems and Natalie has a concussion. Without them our penalty corner is less effective.”
Singelais suffered her concussion against Penn State Sept. 2, while Eckhoff has been suffering from dehydration for the past week.
The Terriers scored in the 27th minute after a scramble in front of junior goalie Liz Centofanti. Centofanti made three saves in her second start of the season.
She was again called on for the start Sunday against CAA opponent Towson.
“Liz is doing great,” Murtagh said. “She is making big saves and I am confident in what she is doing for us.”
Centofanti had been sharing the job with sophomore Colleen Duffy and junior Meaghan Dorsi. Duffy made four starts, making 18 saves and allowing 13 goals. Dorsi made just one start this season, allowing one goal and making one save.
The Huskies were shutout in double overtime Sunday as the Tigers handed NU their second consecutive loss. Northeastern took 31 shots but were unable to get one past Towson goalie Christina Armer. Finally, in the 93rd minute, the Towson offense got the ball past Centofanti after a scramble in front of the goal.
“It is pretty disappointing,” Murtagh said. “We have had opportunities to win, we have had chances to put the ball in the goal, but we just don’t. We need people to step up. We are close to being decent but right now we aren’t very good.”
Despite the disappointing losing record Murtagh said she hasn’t given up on this season yet.
“This never should and never will be a rebuilding year,” she said. “There are too many juniors and seniors on the team. We have to get back to fundamentals and execute the basics.”
The Huskies will be back in action today against Brown at 3 p.m. This is a busy week for Northeastern as they travel to Hofstra Friday and face Delaware Sunday at 2 p.m. on Sweeney Field.
