Head coach Dave Nolan’s Hoyas (11-3-2, 6-3 BE) have prided themselves on getting big plays from many different players this season. After dropping two overtime heartbreakers over the weekend, Georgetown needed one of those plays on Tuesday against St. John’s (7-4-4, 3-3-3 BE). This time, they got it from sophomore defender Courtney Kent, whose first career goal gave the Hoyas an important 1-0 victory.
“I think we were just thinking about the weekend and we were like ‘no we can’t let that happen,’” senior midfielder Stephanie Zare said.
Moans and groans from Georgetown fans characterized the first half, as the Hoyas failed to capitalize on chance after chance. Near-perfect passes came seconds too soon or too late to make the connection, shots on goal flew inches over the bar, and dangerous crosses were gobbled up by St. John’s freshman goalkeeper Kristen Russell. Despite a 6-1 shot advantage for the Hoyas, the teams entered halftime deadlocked at 0-0.
“We had a lot of chances and we’ve got to start putting some of those chances away,” Zare said. “We can’t be winning games one to nothing, giving teams a chance to get back in the game.”
Windy conditions and injuries forced Nolan to tweak his line-up considerably. Zare moved forward into the attack alongside freshman forward Camille Trujillo. But another change would be the difference in the game.
“I got the brainwave of putting Courtney [Kent] up front because she is a big physical presence,” Nolan said. “I knew with our long throw and especially with the wind we would hopefully start to get some throw-ins and some corner kicks and I was hoping she could cause some chaos.”
Kent made Nolan look like a genius in the 63rd minute when she rose up and headed home a throw-in from freshman Samantha Baker for the eventual game-winner. Baker, whose dangerous throws have become a stalwart in the Hoya attack, moved into a tie for third on the all-time assists list with eight.
The Red Storm managed a few opportunities late in the game, but Georgetown’s offense, led by sophomore goalkeeper Jackie DesJardin, refused to give up their hard-earned lead.
“[St. John’s] had nothing to lose,” Nolan said. “Ian [Stone] is a very good coach and he made a couple of adjustments … But I thought overall we were in control, and I thought overall we deserved to win it.”
The Hoyas are on the road this weekend, traveling to Louisville on Friday, then to Cincinnati on Sunday to take on their final two Big East opponents of the regular season.
