After a nearly three-month-long break, Northeastern University athletics have finally returned, as both men’s and women’s soccer played their first games of the season.

Both teams are looking to return to the CAA tournament after missing the cut in 2024. In order to do so, they’ll likely rely heavily on contributions from newcomers. In just the first week, 5 of the 6 combined goals scored came from the feet of new additions.

For the men, 7 of the 19 players who have seen game action are new to the squad: Rohin Kapila, Will Schmidt, Bryce Flowers, Ethan Davis, Asiah Carroll, Alec Kenison (rostered, did not play last year), and Shai Saarony.

The women’s team has 8 new arrivals among the 20 who have taken the field: Ava Gialanella, Hayden Sumner, Bridget Gleason, Olivia Penn, Tamara Munoz, Claire Murray, Nicole Bartlett, and Lexi Arnott.

For women’s head coach Ashley Phillips, 2024 was far from the norm, as it marked the first time she failed to qualify for the CAA tournament. Second-year head coach Jeremy Bonomo likely faces a steeper challenge this year, as he will try to get the men’s team back to the CAA tournament for the first time since 2022 and win a CAA tournament match for the first time since 2014.

Both teams will likely rely on their defense to keep games close. The men’s goals against average of 1.13 was 3rd-best in the CAA last season. Meanwhile, the women allowed 0 goals in 4 of their final 7 games in 2024.

The Huskies started off their season on the right foot with a 1-0-1 week, marking their first opening week without a loss since 2021.

Newcomer Bryce Flowers took home CAA Offensive Player of the Week honors, while senior Jaden Prado captured his first career CAA Defensive Player of the Week award.

Holy Cross jumped out to the lead on a 16th-minute goal, but Northeastern answered just 8 minutes later with Bryce Flowers’ first collegiate goal.

A stalemate ensued. While the Huskies out-chanced the Crusaders by a significant margin (5-0 corner kicks, 8-4 shots, 4-2 shots on goal), they couldn’t find the back of the net again.

Northeastern once again fell behind as Stonehill beat goalkeeper Tobias Jahn in the 16th minute. Despite a good chance at the end of the first half, the Huskies trailed the Skyhawks at halftime.

Perhaps head coach Jeremy Bonomo gave an inspiring speech during the break, because a different team emerged in the second half as they scored three times in the span of 15 minutes.

Bryce Flowers led the charge with a brace, including a beautiful play on the game winner:

The women’s team struggled out of the gate, dropping to 0-2-1 in their first week of action.

Holy Cross opened the scoring in the closing minutes of the first half. However, sophomore newcomer Claire Murray answered right back at the beginning of the second half.

The Huskies tallied 8 shots on goal (the Crusaders had only 3), but couldn’t find the back of the net again. Just like the men, they finished in a tie.

Rhode Island scored in the 2nd minute, and unfortunately that is all they needed, as Northeastern failed to find the score sheet.

Goalkeeper Eliza Teplow did her best to keep the Huskies in the game with 7 saves, just one away from her career high. However, they were stymied by the Rams, mustering only 2 shots on goal all game.

A scoreless first half was quickly forgotten as the floodgates opened after halftime.

Northeastern took their first lead of the season as grad transfer Bridget Gleason scored her first of the season.

The Friars, however, promptly responded with two goals of their own, and those proved to be the deciding blows.

🏒 Men’s hockey is hosting a Summer Fan and Media Availability on Thursday, August 28 at 5:30pm. It will feature head coach Jerry Keefe and captain Vinny Borgesi.

⚾ Head coach Mike Glavine sat down with the New England Baseball Journal for a nearly hour-long interview.

🏀 Women’s basketball has announced their non-conference schedule. It features 4 homes games, including their opener vs. LIU Brooklyn.

🏒 Sophomore defender Tuva Kandell is set to represent Sweden at the Women’s Euro Hockey Tour.

🏑 Junior Alex Mega was named to the Preseason All-CAA Team. Senior Maya Prasad was an honorable mention.

⚾ Cam Maldonado recorded his first professional hit with double.

Photo credit to Jim Pierce