Yesterday, the Georgetown men’s soccer team took to North Kehoe field in an attempt to win their ninth straight game. Unfortunately, the skies turned dark and unleashed a downpour that postponed the game for 24 hours.
When the Hoyas return to the field today, they will have a chance to win the Big East Blue division regular season championship, the program’s first in 16 years.
Beating the University of Connecticut will not be easy, as the Huskies are currently ranked No. 6 in the country. Georgetown is 8-13-2 all-time against UConn, including a 1-0 loss last year in Storrs, Conn.
UConn’s greatest strength is their defense. This season, the Huskies have only allowed one goal in Big East play, with four goals against in total on the season.
“They don’t concede goals,” Wiese said. “They’re as athletic and talented as any team in the country, and they have an outstanding goalkeeper.”
While UConn has historically had Georgetown’s number, there can be no denying the fact that the Hoyas have momentum on their side. Last Saturday, the Hoyas won their eighth straight game and fifth straight conference match with a 6-2 drubbing of Marquette.
In Saturday’s game, the Hoyas fell behind the Golden Eagles early as a result of a careless own-goal. Georgetown was able to right the ship, however, and they took a 2-1 lead into the half thanks to goals from sophomores Andy Riemer and Ian Christianson. Although Marquette was able to balance the score early in the second half, an offensive explosion propelled Georgetown to an easy victory. Goals by Christianson, freshman Steve Neumann, and senior Chandler Diggs within twenty minutes secured a 6-2 victory for the Hoyas.
Today’s game will almost certainly prove to be more difficult, although this team has come out strong when it has mattered most this season. If winning the Big East regular season title isn’t motivation enough, today’s game is Senior Day. This game will be the last regular season home game for the stellar senior class of 2011.
The seniors make up 11 players on the current roster, including goaltender Matthew Brutto, midfielder Seth C’deBaca and forward Jose Calchao, all of whom have been vital to the team’s success this year. Coach Wiese and the rest of the team desperately want to send this class off on a very high note.
“They’re my first recruiting class here and it’s going to be a sad day,” Wiese said. “But they’ve had a special four years, and hopefully they can have an extremely special senior year.”
Georgetown will try to claim the Big East Blue Division championship today on North Kehoe field at 2 p.m.
