Huskies Open Season with 3-1 Win Over Phillips Exeter

After 10 days of practice,  including a few double sessions,  the Huskies were more than ready to take the field for their season opener against Class A powerhouse Phillips Exeter. The locker room buzzed with energy, and the team walked onto Kennedy Field looking fierce and focused, ready to put their hard work to the test.

At the first whistle, Exeter pressed early, but the Huskies’ defense held strong, quickly flipping the field and proving they were ready to run. Early offensive corners gave the Huskies some promising chances, and just five minutes into the game, Lily Thomas ’26 buried a goal in front of the net, putting the Huskies up 1–0 and officially opening the 2025 scoring book.

The second quarter was a battle of adjustments. The Huskies sharpened their defensive play, worked on spacing, and got a crash course in the 5-yard rule. Exeter capitalized on an offensive corner with a direct shot to tie the game 1–1 heading into halftime. In the huddle, the Huskies focused on what was working, especially their communication, and committed to spreading the field and avoiding clumping.

Their halftime reset paid off. Just over three minutes into the third quarter, Emma McPherson ’27 made a key interception at the 25, carried the ball into the circle, and fired off a strong shot to reclaim the lead at 2–1. The Huskies’ hustle kept Exeter off the board for the rest of the quarter.

Midway through the fourth, Lanah Quong ’28 battled along the right side of the circle, dodged her defender, and drove home her first goal of the season to give the Huskies a 3–1 cushion. Moments earlier, she had delivered a perfectly placed pass into the stroke line, continuing to create opportunities for her teammates.

Defensively, the Huskies were rock solid. Ella Fishetti ’27, Abby Schrader ’27, and Kaya Farnsworth ’26 led the backfield, stepping to every ball and covering gaps across the field. In net, Luna McColluch ’26 was poised and energetic, making key stops in her first game as keeper.

The final whistle sealed a 3–1 victory, a strong start to the season and a testament to the team’s communication, hustle, and willingness to adapt. The Huskies now turn their focus to Middlesex on Saturday, ready to build on this momentum. Go Huskies!