Last year the Georgetown Men’s Soccer team made it to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament. In 2012, the team advanced all the way to the finals of the College Cup. Ranked ninth in the nation and picked to win the Big East, this year’s squad looks poised to continue these recent successes.
“The expectations for this group is that they have the potential for being the best team I have ever coached,” said Head Coach Brian Wiese. “But it is the beginning of the year, and that is just potential. A season can do a lot of different things to a team.”
The defense, led by senior goalkeeper and captain Tomas Gomez, will anchor the team. Gomez earned Big East Co-Goalkeeper of the Year honors last year, as he finished the season fourth in the country, with a .44 goals against average.
“I think he’s one of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper in the country, and he’s got all the tools to take us on a really good run this year,” said Wiese. “But we hope we don’t have to use him that much.”
The Hoyas play organized team defense in front of Gomez, but they also have plenty of individual talent. Sophomore center back Joshua Yaro, who has been named to the watch list for the Hermann Trophy, the award given to the nation’s top player, leads the talented unit. Along with Yaro, juniors Keegan Rosenberry, Cole Seiler, and Josh Turnley return to round out a defensive unit that led the nation in shutout percentage last year.
When the Hoyas have the ball this year, Preseason Big East Offensive Player of the Year, junior forward Brandon Allen, another Hermann Trophy candidate, is expected to provide much of this team’s production. Allen scored 11 goals and added five assists last year, earning a Second Team All-American nod. Sophomore forward Alex Muyl, a Big East All-Rookie Team selection last year, should step up into a greater role alongside Allen. In the midfield, the senior trio of Tyler Rudy, Tom Skelly, and Austin Martz lead a deep and experienced group.
The Hoyas also bring in a heralded freshmen class, headlined by midfielders Chris Lema, Declan McCabe, and Arun Basuljevic.
“These guys are all capable players.” said Wiese. “It’s just a matter of when they get their opportunity are they going to be ready as young players to take it.”
The team will play a difficult schedule, with some major tests awaiting in top preseason pick Notre Dame and 2013 national runner-up Maryland. The Hoyas begin their season on August 29 at Indiana.
“We have a really talented and driven group of players,” said Wiese. “The challenges of the season that lies in front of us are going to be severe and will be a really good test for the guys, and we’ll see how we handle those tests. We’re optimistic that it could be a really fun year.”
