Aug. 21, 2012
WASHINGTON - The Georgetown University men's soccer squad went 2-0 in exhibition play as the Hoyas gear up for the 2012 season. The Blue & Gray will open the season on Friday at the Maryland SoccerPlex against the University of Virginia at 7 p.m.
Last week, the Hoyas downed Old Dominion University, 3-1, at the newly-renovated North Kehoe Field. Seniors Ian Christianson (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Christian Life) and Andy Riemer (McLean, Va./Georgetown Prep) scored goals as well as freshman forward Melvin Snoh (Coatesville, Pa./Malvern Prep) who netted his in the first half.
The coaching staff managed to get a number of combinations on the field and two goalkeepers in the net to give the Hoyas different looks after playing against each other since the beginning of preseason.
On Saturday, the Blue & Gray welcomed the Villanova University Wildcats to the Maryland SoccerPlex in preparation for the opener. Despite both playing in the BIG EAST Conference, the squads will not meet during the regular season due to the league's scheduling.
The Hoyas defeated the Wildcats, 3-0, with junior forward Steve Neumann (New Hope, Pa./Council Rock North) and freshman forward Brandon Allen (Old Bridge, N.J./St. Joseph) both finding the back of the net. The third score was an own goal by the `Cats.
Georgetown finished last season with a record of 10-5-4 and a mark of 5-3-1 in the BIG EAST. GU returns its top five scorers in 2012 and brought in one of the best recruiting classes in program history which will make an immediate impact.
Leading the way is a deep senior class including captains Christianson, Tommy Muller (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Trinity Prep) and Jimmy Nealis (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa). Neumann is the fourth captain and will return after leading the Hoyas in scoring a season ago with 11 goals and seven assists.
Christianson, Neumann and Nealis all earned All-BIG EAST Preseason honors with Neumann as a unanimous first team honoree and Nealis being named the Preseason Co-Defender of the Year. Neumann was also named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List.
Also coming back is sophomore goalkeeper Tomas Gomez (Webster Groves, Mo./Webster Groves) who spent his spring training with the U-20 U.S. Men's National Team.
With nine starters and 18 letterwinners coming back, the 2012 Hoyas will be a squad full of depth and experience.
Georgetown will have a challenging slate this season with six NCAA Tournament teams on the schedule.
The Hoyas will open the season on Friday, August 24 as the Blue & Gray takes on the University of Virginia in Germantown, Md., at the Maryland SoccerPlex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Live stats and a webcast featuring Dan Helfrich will be available at www.GUHoyas.com.
