WASHINGTON – The 13th-seeded Georgetown University men's soccer squad lost 1-0 to the Michigan State University Spartans (13-4-4) on Sunday afternoon in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at Cooper Field. The Hoyas finish the 2018 campaign with a record of 13-5-3. 
 
"Against Michigan State, the first goal is really important and credit to them they make it hard after that," said Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese.  "One goal was maybe what the game was going to be about today and it was unfortunate that we came out on the wrong side."
 
The Hoyas had the first chance of the match as an open volley by junior forward Achara (Enugu, Nigeria / Berkshire School [Mass.]) sailed over the crossbar.  Georgetown was the aggressor early as the Hoyas were hitting on all cylinders and finding openings.  A sliding shot from sophomore forward Derek Dodson (Aurora, Ill. / Waubonsie Valley) was stopped by MSU keeper Jimmy Hauge.  This was followed by a quick counter with a shot that clanged off of the post as there was end-to-end action.
 
The game settled in as both teams possessed, but neither was exceptionally dangerous.  As the contest wore on, it became more physical as each squad searched for the first goal of the game.  It would come in the 45th minute as Michael Miller took a touch and hit a screamer just inside the far post to put the Spartans up 1-0 at the half.
 
There was no clear advantage early in the second half until 13 minutes in when a header from Dodson went over the crossbar.  From that point on, the momentum shifted as Michigan State was on the offensive searching for the second goal.  The Hoyas had a sense of urgency looking for the equalizer, but every run was stopped by the compact Spartan defense.
 
In the final five minutes, Dodson had a shot that was cleared off of the line by the defense and the Hoyas pushed forward.  The equalizer would never materialize as the Blue & Gray eventually fell 1-0.
 
Georgetown outshot Michigan State 17-9 but had just three shots on goal as MSU managed four.  The Spartans were awarded nine corner kicks to the Hoyas' two.  Hauge took the win in the net with two saves and a team save, while freshman goalkeeper Giannis Nikopolidis (Athens, Greece / Nea Genia Zirdi) was given the lost with three saves in the game.
 
Georgetown claimed the 2018 BIG EAST Championship and earned an automatic NCAA Tournament berth. It marked the third championship in four years for the Blue & Gray as well as the third tournament championship in program history.  The team will lose seven players to graduation.
 
"I thought we had a team that was a College Cup caliber team, and all of the credit for that goes to our older guys," said Wiese.  "Our seniors did a great job pushing through a long hard season.  We always had the pieces and we got better and better as the year went on.  I'm frustrated that we're not playing next weekend, but I'm pleased with the group.  It's always sad when it ends."