Winning erased the memory of a cruel '07 for NU women's soccer

The first day of practice for the Northeastern women's soccer team left an uncertain feeling in the pit of coach Ed Matz's stomach.

An ambulance was summoned after two of his players struggled with the heat. The players were fine, but Matz wondered if this was a sign of what was to come, a continuation of what was an unlucky 2007 season. He calls that season one of the worst he has ever experienced in dealing with injuries in his 10 years as a head coach.

In one game last year, 13 players were sidelined. The Huskies ended up playing a person down for seven minutes of a half because there was no one left in reserve. In four games, players left the field in an ambulance.

When this season began with a similar scene, Matz did not know how his team would react, but he would be pleased.

"Our two captains, other four seniors and juniors, worked so hard to focus on the positive," Matz said. "They were great role models."

The Huskies did not let the woes of 2007 affect them this season and they put together a season so grand that it lead to NU making its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. The Huskies did it all with a number of players from south of Boston, including senior captain Brenna Matthews and her freshman sister, Kelly, of Easton, along with Rockland native Stephanie Gordon, a freshman goalkeeper.

Defenders Brenna Matthews and Emilee Ellison were both selected captains for a team that included 11 freshmen. The newcomers ended up earning quality time and boosted the team at the latter points of the season. With each bit of success, the Huskies could distance themselves from the 4-11-3 result last season.

"Last year was so brutal with a lot of injuries," Brenna Matthews said. "As the season progressed we were actually very good and did really well. All the pieces fell into place and it just worked out. We played so well together, it was meant to be, I think."

The veteran players are able to put the achievement of this season in better perspective, according to Kelly Matthews, whose oldest sister, Andi, also played soccer at Northeastern.

"We didn't really go through what they went through last year, but it's definitely exciting for us to have this success," Kelly Matthews said. "I'm glad the seniors got this experience before they went out, because they definitely deserve it."

Four freshman have earned starting spots this season, including Gordon, who is among four goalkeepers.

Before the first-round tournament game against Harvard on Friday, Gordon had started 21 of 22 matches and recorded a 1.05 goals against average and .815 save percentage.

"It's a great feeling because I know all my teammates trust me, and my coaches trust me to get the job done," Gordon said. "Having upperclassmen defenders in front of me is a great feeling."

The Huskies endured a dramatic journey to get to the tournament. It included a 2-1 overtime victory over Hofstra, handing the Pride their only home loss of the regular season. They came back to defeat Hofstra in the Colonial Athletic Association championship game in a 1-0 double overtime match that gave Northeastern its first conference title in school history.

"I'm so excited for the kids and so happy for the alums that have played for us," Matz said. "It's been a great ride."

Linebacker George Whetstone of Westwood and defensive back Stephan Neville of Foxborough were among a record six Stonehill football players to be selected to the Northeast-10 all-conference team.

Whetstone's 11 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss ranked second in the NE-10. The sacks tied Whetstone, a senior, for the third most in a single season at Stonehill.

Neville led the Northeast-10 in kick return average at 29.7 and returned a kick for a touchdown. He also was selected to the all-rookie team. He had five interceptions and 31 tackles.

The season wrapped up for the Skyhawks with a 35-7 win against Bentley. It was their first victory against Bentley since 1995 and helped the Skyhawks end the season with four victories.

Marshfield native Nicholas Boretti (inset) added another achievement to his junior season at Eastern Connecticut State with a second-team selection to the Little East Conference men's soccer team. It is the second year the midfielder has received all-conference honors. Boretti collected six goals and six assists as Eastern Connecticut notched a 14-3-3 record. During the postseason, Boretti scored a goal in the 5-0 triumph against Nichols College in the first round of the ECAC New England Division III Tournament. It was the first playoff win for Eastern Connecticut since 1977. The tournament wraps up today.

Monique Walker can be reached at mwalker@globe.com.