In an important Big East Conference match-up on Wednesday, the Georgetown Hoyas defeated the Villanova Wildcats by a 2-1 score in overtime for the Hoyas’ first Big East win of the season. The game winning goal was scored in the 102nd minute by sophomore midfielder Jen Choiniere, who one-timed the ball past the Villanova keeper, Janel Schillig, off a strong feed by sophomore forward Courtney Shaub.
After losing their first two Big East games of the season, at Pittsburgh and at No. 4 Notre Dame, the Hoyas needed a victory over Villanova to maintain their hopes of making the Big East Tournament. The Hoyas started off strong, scoring in the game’s 26th minute. A solid defensive play by first-year defenseman Elizabeth Roberti, led to a powerful offensive drive by Georgetown that culminated in a crossing pass from junior forward Karin Ostrander, to sophomore midfielder Alyssa Conlow who tapped the ball past the helpless keeper Schillig.
Still by the end of the first half, neither team had been able to take control of the game; both teams were able to record quality scoring chances. However, as the second half began, Villanova began to assert itself. In the 47th minute, the Wildcats had a great scoring chance and recorded two shots, one repelled by the Hoya defense, and the other on a save by Georgetown’s senior keeper, Shereena Chang. Soon after, in the 59th minute, a failed defensive stop at midfield by the Hoyas led to a crossing pass from Villanova’s Patricia Misciagna. Misciagna’s pass slipped through Chang’s fingers, and Villanova forward Quinn Sellers booted it into the net.
Neither team took command in the remaining time in the second half until the final minute of regulation, when Georgetown’s Shaub challenged a ball kicked by Villanova’s keeper, Schillig. Shaub won the challenge, and Schillig was left out of position, but Shaub was unable to loft the ball into the net.
When overtime began, Villanova had two quick scoring chances. However, the Hoyas thundered back with two scoring chances of their own. Finally, in the 102nd minute, Shaub made a tremendous drive down the field that led to a cross to Jen Choiniere who boomed it into the net.
“It felt great to score the game winning goal and it felt great to beat ‘Nova,” said Choiniere. The goal was Choiniere’s first of the season and the ninth of her career tying her for ninth on the Georgetown career goal list in only her sophomore season.
The win against Villanova was the Hoya’s first in their history, after seven previous losses; it was also their first Big East win of the season.
“It always feels good to get a Big East win,” said Georgetown third-year head coach Diane Drake. “You need to play well at home to win in the Big East, and we did today,” Drake said. Choiniere agreed with Drake’s assessment.
“This was the most heart I’ve ever seen the team play with,” Choiniere said. “Villanova is a huge rivalry, and I’m proud of everyone; it was a team effort,” she said.
The win improved the Hoyas record to 5-3 with a 1-2 record in the Big East. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 5-2-1 with a 1-2 record in the Big East.
Next for the Hoyas is a Big East game Friday afternoon, Sept. 28, against Rutgers University, (5-3 overall, 1-1 in the Big East) on Harbin Field at 4 p.m. The Hoyas have only defeated Rutgers once in their history.
“Friday night will be a very similar game to Notre Dame,” Drake said. “In my opinion it’s a function of which defense makes the least mistakes, which offensive line is on. If we play well we should win, if we don’t we won’t; it’s simple,” Drake said.
“We have some tough games ahead,” Choiniere said. “We have the confidence to win and get back to the Big East tournament.”
