One week after the Georgetown women’s soccer team was handily defeated 4-1 by Stanford, the men’s team entered Sunday’s game against the Cardinal with revenge in mind. After a stagnant regulation period, the Hoyas picked up the energy level and took advantage of Stanford’s lethargy when sophomore Steve Neumann scored in the 105th minute to give Georgetown the 1-0 victory in double overtime.
The Hoyas knocked around the ball with Stanford in the first half, with only four shots totaled between the two sides. The second half, however, proved much faster-paced as the game opened up, allowing for better ball movement and 12 more shots. Freshman keeper Tomas Gomez kept the ball out of the net, despite four shots from the Cardinal.
The defensive momentum helped carry the Hoyas into overtime, where they were finally able to finish in front of goal.
Neumann’s goal on Sunday further solidifies his position as the main scorer for the Hoyas. He has scored all three Georgetown goals this season, and he seems to be warming up at the right time. Neumann didn’t score at all during the preseason, and after a tough shutout against VCU, he needed a win.
“He takes that personally,” head coach Brian Wiese said of the loss against VCU. “I think this weekend with Radford and Stanford he said ‘Enough’s enough, I’ve gotta put the team on my back […] and win the games’.”
That’s exactly what Neumann has done, earning a spot on the Big East and the College Soccer News Teams of the Week.
“He’s got that DNA instinct to put the ball in the back of the net which you can’t coach, you can’t teach,” Wiese said. “You either have it or you don’t. He’s got it.”
The Hoyas will have to be ready for this weekend, when they travel to Michigan to take on Michigan and Michigan State. These will be the first away games of the regular season, but Wiese is feeling better after this win.
“It’s a big difference between being 1-2 and 2-1. I think it settles us a bit.”
