Murtagh a stickler for success
Northeastern field hockey coach Cheryl Murtagh doesn't want the glare of the spotlight that shines on her to detract from a team that has been the America East champion for the past three years and has been to the NCAA tournament 13 times.
"I've been fortunate with the players I've had, and with the coaching staff I've had the past couple of years, actually throughout my whole career," she said. "I think they have the right idea; they're committed to the team, they're committed to the goals in the program, and every kid gives her best."
Her modesty is nice, but unnecessary.
Murtagh, who is in her 17th year, is the winningest field hockey coach in school history, and has been National Field Hockey Northeast Region Coach of the Year six times since the NFHCA's inception in 1995. She has also been America East Coach of the Year six times and has coached the team to undefeated seasons in league play four times. The Huskies have made it to the championship game in the America East tournament 13 times in 14 years, and have taken home nine titles. The team has gone to the NCAA Final Four three times.
So sure, the players and assistants Zowie Tucker and Scott Smith deserve credit, too, but Murtagh has been the constant.
"She sees the dynamics of the team every year, and knows how to get the best out of us," said senior forward Mari Creatini.
Murtagh, who was a star midfielder at Bishop Fenwick High School and the University of New Hampshire, was an assistant coach at Tufts and Bentley before coming to Northeastern in 1984. She was a full-time assistant coach before taking over as head coach in 1988.
The days of having an occasional winning season are over. In other words, Murtagh wants the team to be a perennial favorite. The Huskies got off to a great start this season, winning their first six games, though they have lost two of their last three to stand at 7-2.
"I really don't believe that we should be a team that's good every few years -- I feel like we should be good every year," she said. "We get great support from the administration, have two great assistant coaches, we have great players and a great facility. So we should be good."
The success of this year's team, which is ranked eighth in the nation, is no surprise, since only three starters were lost from last year. Leading the way are four seniors who are hoping to win the America East title for a fourth straight time.
Creatini, a forward and cocaptain, was a finalist for Honda Player of the Year last season, when she led the nation in points (72) and goals (29), and was tied for eighth in assists (14). The other cocaptain, Liane Dixon, had her third straight year of double-digit scoring with 12 goals. Creatini had nine game-winning goals last year, but when opponents zeroed in on her during the postseason, Dixon helped take the pressure off. She scored three of Northeastern's five goals in the America East tournament and was named MVP.
Dixon currently leads the team with 8 goals and 4 assists for 20 points; Creatini follows with 7 goals and 16 points.
Also back is three-year starter Alli Bolster at midfield and goalkeeper Diana Nelson, who had nine shutouts and was sixth in the country in goals-against average (1.20) last season.
Like her coach, Nelson deflects the glory.
"The defense is definitely great," she said.
Murtagh's confidence in the team shows in the players, who have come to expect nothing less than another winning season.
"I think we've gotten better every year," Creatini said. "My freshman year, we were glad to be in top 25; now we're aiming for top five."
