Sept. 28, 2008

Box Score

Villanova, Pa. - The No. 24 Georgetown men's squad escaped from Villanova (4-3-2, 1-1-2 BIG EAST) with a 0-0 tie and one point in BIG EAST play on Sunday in Pennsylvania. Playing in a downpour much of the game, the Hoya defense put together a solid effort to hold the Wildcats scoreless. After 90 minutes of play, the game was called on account of weather and field conditions. With the stalemate, the Hoyas moved to 7-2-1 overall and 2-2-1 in the BIG EAST.

Starting the match, it was Villanova that got out on offense but the big Hoya backline stopped every attack and keeper Matthew Brutto (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) was outstanding in the goal managing the defense. The Georgetown forwards got into the act later in the half with a number of solid chances but were unable to connect. At the end of the first Nova held a 10-7 advantage in shots.

With the rain continuing to come down, the second half turned into a battle just to control the ball with the adverse field conditions. The Hoya offense continued to look for chances in the second while the defense held its own. Villanova had a near-goal midway through the half as the ball was fired to Brutto who stopped it and dove for the rebound to keep a Wildcat foot away. With time winding down and the rain getting heavier, the Hoyas had one last chance in the final minute but Jose Colchao's (Fairfax, Va./Lake Braddock Secondary School) shot from the right side was just wide and the Villanova keeper managed to get a fingertip on it sending the ball out of bounds and ending regulation 0-0.

"Our goalkeepers had a great weekend," said Head Coach Brian Wiese. "We were on the road and on Friday (Mark) Wilbur made the saves we needed and today, Matty (Brutto) made some great saves in the second half and ended with eight. Sometimes when the ball goes into the box you hold your breath but he came up with the saves we needed." The teams both regrouped and went back out onto the field to begin overtime but with the turf nearly unplayable, the game was called a tie after a full 90 minutes.

"On a day like today you have to find your chances and stop theirs. I pride the boys in their ability to play out of ther comfort zone," said Wiese.

Brutto finished with eight saves for the game after a tough second half and the Hoyas had 19 total shots for the game, one more that Villanova. Georgetown took seven corner kicks while the Wildcats were awarded one.

The Hoyas will be back in action next Sunday at No. 3/3 Notre Dame. The Irish suffered their first conference loss of the season Sunday afternoon in an overtime game with No. 20/19 Louisville. Kickoff in South Bend is scheduled for 1 p.m.

"Notre Dame is going to be a huge game for us," said Wiese. "The one of the top five teams in the country and we are playing on their field. I'm glad we have a week to rest and refocus on next Sunday. It's going to be a massive game for our team."