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Led by a group of eight seniors and a strong supporting cast of underclassmen, Northeastern's field hockey program begins its 2012 campaign Friday with a trip to the University of Louisville for the Sherrill Brakmeier Classic. The Huskies take on the host Cardinals at 6 p.m. Friday, and will square off with either Northwestern at 11 a.m. or Miami (Ohio) at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Taking a Poll
For the first time since 2006, Northeastern cracked the top-25 in the newly renamed Penn Monto / NFHCA Collegiate National Coaches Preseason Poll (formerly Kookaburra), landing the No. 21 spot. Also of note, eight of the Huskies' 18 opponents (nine including a potential Sunday match-up with Northwestern) found slots in the preseason top-25, including two in the top-10 (No. 3 Old Dominion and No. 8 Virginia).

On the Sideline
Northeastern is led on the sideline by head coach Cheryl Murtagh, associate head coach Kate Pfeifer and assistant coach Garreth Ewing. Murtagh enters her 25th season at the helm of the Red and Black, and is looking to lead the Huskies to their 16th appearance in the NCAA tournament. As far as career victories go, there are not many who can hold a candle to Murtagh; She has accumulated 350 wins – eighth most in Division I field hockey history – and 333 wins at Northeastern.

O Captains, My Captains
Just before the season's start, seniors Allison Conti and Christine Tase were named team captains for this year. Both have proved their mettle, bringing a solid three years of hard work to the table. Conti has played 61 games as a midfielder for the Huskies, notching three goals to go along with four assists. Tase worked her way into the starting lineup for NU as a junior after playing solid defense throughout her career. Even though she plays back, Tase recorded her first career point last season with an assist on the game-winning goal over VCU.

Eyes on Me
For the second consecutive year, conference coaches selected senior Crystal Poland as the Colonial Athletic Association's Preseason Player of the Year. Last year, Poland asserted her dominance on offense for the Huskies, launching a conference-best 129 shots, scoring 27 goals and lofting three assists for 57 points. The 2011 First-Team All-American led the way for NU's offense, which was consistently in the top three in nearly every category in the CAA.

Senior goalkeeper Lizzie Priest joins Poland on the preseason All-CAA team, selected as the conference's best net-minder. Priest led the CAA last year with 148 saves, 26 more than any other goalkeeper in the conference. Priest's 6.73 saves per game were good enough for 18th in the entire nation in 2011.

Vetted Veterans
With eight fourth-year players, Northeastern has two more than any other CAA opponent, making it arguably the most experienced squad in the conference. The large senior class features players at just about every position.

At forward, Crystal Poland leads the way for the Huskies' offense. Poland tallied 27 goals and 57 points, both of which were the second most in the nation. Also at forward, Nicky Graham led the CAA with 18 assists, the fourth-highest total in the NCAA in 2011. The senior class' third forward, Hannah Hoelscher, has played a critical role as a substitute and earned her first career goal last season in the Huskies' 4-0 win over Providence.

Three seniors roam the midfield for the Huskies in Olivia Bass, Emily Norell and captain Allison Conti. Bass and Norell played key reserve roles in 2011 as juniors, playing in 37 combined games along the midfield stripe. Conti started all 22 games for NU a year ago, registering three assists – including the assist on the only goal in the Huskies' 1-0 win over Harvard – and 13 shots.

On defense, Christine Tase is NU's lone back, playing just in front of All-CAA goalkeeper, Lizzie Priest. Tase started all 22 games in 2011, playing a key role in defensive plan for the Huskies. When the opportunity struck, Tase recorded her first career point on an assist in Northeastern's 2-1 win over VCU. Priest made her own mark in the net last season, accumulating a conference-best 148 saves. Priest was in the top-15 in the country for both saves per game and save percentage in 2011.

A Look at Louisville
Chosen to finish third in Big East play, Louisville comes into the weekend ranked No. 23 in the Penn Monto/NFHCA Coaches Poll. The Cardinals finished the 2011 season with a 10-9 (3-3 Big East) record under first-year head coach Justine Sowry. UL loses it's leading point scorer and All-American, Hayley Turner, to graduation, but the Cardinals still bring plenty of punch. Northeastern and Louisville have only squared off once, with the redbirds taking a 3-1 win in Louisville in 2006.

Scouting Northwestern
The Wildcats enter the weekend ranked 20th in the preseason poll after finishing 12-9 (1-5 Big Ten) in 2011. Northwestern returns most of its starters, including senior forward Chelsea Armstrong, who scored a conference-high 25 goals and 57 points, and sophomore goalkeeper Maddy Carpenter who recorded 80 saves.

If the two teams play on Sunday, it will be the 13th meeting between the storied programs. The last time the Huskies and Wildcats met, the purple NU took the contest in Boston, 3-0, in 2008.

Scouting Miami (Ohio)
Miami (Ohio) is now in its second season under new head coach Iñako Puzo, after finishing 2011 with a 7-15 record. The Redhawks have been in the national picture in recent history, however, taking the Mid-American Confernce title in 2010 with a 14-7 mark. With a bulk of the roster returning, MU retains some threats on offense, including Olivia Miller, who led the team last year with 22 points (netting 10 goals).

Miami (Ohio) and Northeastern have never faced each other on the field hockey pitch, so if the two play on Sunday, the Redhawks would become the Huskies' 74th opponent in NU history.

Tuning In
Fans can follow along with the action against No. 23 Louisville by clicking here. Live stats for Sunday's game between either No. 20 Northwestern or Miami (Ohio) will be posted here as soon as it is announced. Stay tuned to GoNU.com and follow Northeastern Athletics on Twitter at @GoNUathletics, and Northeastern field hockey at @GoNUfhockey all season long for updates and announcements.