Georgetown women’s soccer (2-0) opened the 2012 season last weekend with victories over George Washington and University of Delaware. On Friday, the Hoyas downed the Colonials 2-0 at North Kehoe, and then traveled to Newark, DL, on Sunday and defeated the Blue Hens 2-0.
Against GW, the Hoyas controlled play in the first half but had some difficulty finding the back of the net, firing 11 unsuccessful shots in the opening half. Junior forward Colleen Dinn registered three of those shots, while sophomore midfielder Daphne Corboz registered two. GW goalkeeper Nicole Fasano saved all of the attempts, except for one of Corboz’s that banged off the crossbar. It wasn’t until the 56th minute, though, that the Hoyas took the lead. Corboz crossed the ball into the box to sophomore forward Jessica Clinton. Clinton controlled the ball and passed it to Dinn, who knocked it inside the far post of the goal.
Only nine minutes later the Blue and Gray increased its advantage, with Dinn assisting the goal this time. The junior forward sent a cross to freshman midfielder Marina Paul, who aimed a one-time shot past Fasano. The Hoyas controlled possession for much of the game and dominated the shot tally, 18-5, and the corner total, 14-0. Georgetown defenders senior Claire Magliola and juniors Emily Menges and Mary Kroening allowed the Colonials only a few scoring opportunities. When the final whistle blew, Georgetown had its first win of the year, 2-0.
“We handled GW as well as we have ever handled them,” said head coach Dave Nolan. “It’s always a big game for them on their schedule and it’s never an easy battle.”
Georgetown did not wait nearly as long to take the lead against Delaware on Sunday. In the 13th minute, Corboz ripped a shot from just outside of the box that beat Delaware goalkeeper Jessica Levy.
“I thought we did a good job against [Delaware], because they put on the pressure early on and we didn’t crack,” Nolan said. “In the second half, we became more comfortable.”
The Hoyas had to protect their lead at the start of the second half, as the Blue Hens had three chances on goal, two of which were saved by sophomore goalkeeper Emma Newins. Georgetown quickly responded, with a goal in the 68th minute to take a 2-0 lead. Corboz played the ball to junior forward Kaitlin Brenn, who was 15 yards away from goal. Brenn spun and slotted the ball past Levy for the decisive goal.
The Hoyas barely out-shot the Blue Hens 8-7, and both teams gained four corners. Newins recorded three saves while Corboz tallied a goal and an assist.
“Daphne is a very special talent,” Nolan said. “She is probably the purest soccer player we have ever had in regards to understanding the game.”
The Blue and Gray will look to stay undefeated this weekend at the James Madison Invitational. The Hoyas kick-off the tournament on Friday night against host James Madison, and will end on Friday when they take on Hofstra.
“[JMU and Hofstra] are probably thinking, as many teams are, that this is the year to get Georgetown,” Nolan said. “People are expecting us to be down, but I think that we are going to surprise a lot of people. I don’t think we are as down as people hope.”
After this weekend test, the Hoyas will take on some on the top teams in the country, Stanford and Santa Clara, on September 7 and 9.
“After these next four games, then we worry about Stanford and Santa Clara,” Nolan said. “These next four games we certainly want to try to get better.”
