The Georgetown’s women’s soccer team (11-5-1 overall, 4-4-1 BE) failed to solidify a top spot in the Big East B Division after disappointing losses in their final two home games of the season.
On Friday, the Hoyas handed Pittsburgh (3-9-3 overall, 2-5-2 BE) its second Big East win of the season on North Kehoe Field. Two days later top-ranked West Virginia (9-3-3 overall, 6-1-1 BE) came to town and spoiled Senior Day for the struggling Hoyas. Georgetown has lost four of its last five Big East matches and will look to pick up a few points as they finish the regular season on the road against DePaul and Notre Dame.
Against Pittsburgh, the Hoyas found themselves up early as senior forward Shara McNeill netted an unassisted goal in the 14th minute of play. Georgetown continued to dominate play throughout the first period, outshooting Pitt 16-4. If not for several stops from Panther keeper Jamie Pelusi, the Hoyas would have run away with the game. The former Big East goalkeeper of the year snuffed out multiple Georgetown scoring opportunities throughout the half.
After the break, the Hoyas continued to threaten and create scoring chances by playing long balls over a struggling Pittsburgh defense. The Hoyas inability to finish, however, helped to build confidence for the Panthers, who evened the score during the 72nd minute and crushed Georgetown’s morale. Less than seven minutes later, junior Pittsburgh forward Kristina Francois converted a misplayed goal kick into a 2-1 Panther lead. Georgetown’s failure to find the back of the net in the second half led to a costly home loss against one of the Big East’s weaker teams.
Sunday afternoon marked the final regular season home appearance for seniors Ashley Darcy, Alexandra Hardy and Shara McNeill. However, perennial powerhouse West Virginia ignored this, overpowering the Hoyas and claiming the victory, 2-1.
The No. 18 Mountaineers played a tough, physical game, led by an outstanding defense that allowed only one shot on goal, and has limited opponents to six goals in their last three games.
Georgetown fell behind early as West Virginia hammered home a goal in the 12th minute, followed by a header coming off of a corner kick in the 30th minute. Georgetown answered with a goal of its own before the end of the half as senior midfielder Alexandra Hardy assisted junior midfielder Chrissy Skogen. Skogen slid the ball past the charging Mountaineer keeper and into the lower left corner of the net. Skogen’s 10th goal of the year, coming in the 40th minute, matched a single-season Hoya record. Both teams were held scoreless after halftime and Georgetown dropped its second consecutive Big East match up.
Georgetown visits Chicago to battle DePaul (4-7-4 overall, 2-5-3 BE) a team looking to overtake the Hoyas in the Big East standings. They will meet this Friday at 3:00 p.m.
