Sept. 19, 2010
Box Score
WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University men's soccer team had a strong start, but fizzled near the end falling to the No. 22 University of Pennsylvania Quakers (5-1), 3-1, Sunday afternoon at North Kehoe Field. Sophomore defender Tommy Muller (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Trinity Prep) scored his first goal of the season in the tenth minute, but the Hoyas couldn't keep the momentum going. Georgetown is now 2-3-1 on the season.
"It's disappointing, that game could have been won," said GU Head Coach Brian Wiese. "But you're playing a top-25 team in Penn and they've got some dangerous players. They're organized and not going to give up. It's one of these ones you feel you've let slip away."
Muller's goal came at 9:33 off of a Hoya corner kick. Senior midfielder Seth C'deBaca (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia Prep) served it in from the right corner and Muller hit a low header on the left side into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Georgetown continued to look sharp in the first 20 minutes, keeping possession and not getting solid chances on goal. However, as the minutes ticked away the Hoyas grew tired which allowed the Quakers an opportunity to strike.
In the 52nd minute, senior goalkeeper Matthew Brutto (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) made a big save. The deflection went to the right side and Penn's Travis Cantrell was able to control the ball long enough to shoot it right back for the equalizer.
The Quakers had momentum and used it to their advantage hitting a second goal at 54:17 after combination play in the box.
"Goals change games and when they got their first goal, the momentum shifted," said Wiese. "For us in this game, one goal should have been enough to win and we let in a couple bad goals. We have to tidy up some things in the back."
Georgetown attempted to counter, but couldn't get much going offensively. A breakaway in the 83rd minute was the dagger as Brutto was forced to come off his line resulting in an open net to make the final 3-1.
The Blue & Gray was outshot, 16-15, but was awarded three more corner kicks (5-2). Brutto took the loss in goal with five saves, while Ben Berg had six saves for the Quakers.
One Hoya won on Sunday as Penn Head Coach Rudy Fuller returned to his alma mater. Fuller was a member of the Georgetown men's soccer team graduating in 1993.
Georgetown will look to get back on track as the team opens BIG EAST play next Saturday at Cincinnati. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and live stats will be available at www.GUHoyas,com.
