When the No. 3 Georgetown men’s soccer team (15-2-2, 9-0 Big East) and the No. 5 Creighton Bluejays (17-3, 7-2 Big East) took the field Sunday afternoon for the Big East Tournament Championship, no one could have anticipated what was in store. It took 106 minutes and 53 seconds for a winner to be crowned in one of the most competitive college soccer games this season. In the end, it was the Hoyas who captured the win by a score of 2-1. Georgetown was led by goals from senior forward Brandon Allen and junior forward Alex Muyl, who scored the golden goal in the second overtime period.
This is the first time in program history (24 attempts) that the Hoyas have won the conference tournament title. In addition, the Blue and Gray extended their record-shattering unbeaten streak to 16 consecutive games, including a school record 13-straight wins. The win also guarantees the Hoyas a spot in the NCAA Tournament, where they will likely be a number one seed.
After exchanging blows for the first ten minutes of the game, Georgetown seemed to get a handle on play, and maintained a patient attack. But in the 17th minute, the Bluejays quickly countered. A ball was sent to Creighton senior midfielder Timo Pitter against the run of play, who was able to weave through two Georgetown defenders. His shot was deflected by Georgetown freshman goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, but the ball rolled into the back of the net.
The Blue and Gray did not allow themselves to be discouraged by this, as Georgetown junior defender Joshua Yaro noted.
“If you get scored on first, you only need one goal to get back in the game,” said Yaro. “We knew this could happen, and we were fully prepared for it.”
The Hoyas quickly responded with a goal of their own in the 20th minute. Georgetown senior defender Keegan Rosenberry brought the ball up the right side, and eventually found a streaking Brandon Allen in the box. Allen tapped it right under Creighton senior goalkeeper Connor Sparrow to knot the score at 1-1.
The game was wide open for the remainder of play, as both teams created tremendous scoring opportunities throughout the game. Allen nearly scored his second goal of the day early in the second half, but was called offsides. Creighton junior forward Fabian Herbers sent a shot in from the midfield area that dangerously deflected off of the crossbar late in the game. By the end of regulation, it was clear that it would take something spectacular to break the tie.
In the first overtime period, neither team was able to generate a goal, as both defenses held their ground. As the clock began to wind down in the second overtime, it seemed as though the game was destined for penalty kicks. But when Joshua Yaro made a sliding tackle to win possession in the midfield area, the Hoyas were presented with a golden opportunity. Yaro passed to sophomore midfielder Matthew Ledder. The midfielder cut inside and passed to Muyl, who dribbled toward the goal, eventually finding the back post to seal the win for Georgetown.
“I just had a good look at goal,” Muyl said. “I wanted to make sure I got it on target, and when I saw the far post open I took the chance.”
With Muyl’s goal, the Hoyas captured their first conference tournament championship in history. Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese was well aware of the significance of such a monumental accomplishment.
“This is bigger than just the players on the team right now. Georgetown’s history in the Big East is as long as anyone’s, and I think this win will resonate as much for alumni as it does for our players,” remarked Wiese. “This is what a final should be. Both teams left it all on the field today.”
“We’re just proud to be the first team to do it,” explained Muyl. “This is a team that’s making a lot of history this season, and we just want to keep it going.”
The Blue and Gray will now prepare for the NCAA tournament, where they hope to make a deep run. The team hopes to capitalize on their stellar play of late to continue this historic season.
“Winning these types of games requires more than technical ability; it takes grit,” said Coach Wiese. “Every game we play from here on out will take that grit and resilience. We’ll need to be able to do that again a few more times is my guess.”
