WASHINGTON – The third-seeded Georgetown University men's soccer team used a late second-half surge to advance to its second College Cup in program history Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 win over sixth-seeded Washington (17-4) at Shaw Field. After trailing for much of the game, a free kick sparked the Blue & Gray, which went on to get the win in regulation and improve to 18-1-3 on the season.
Sounds of the Game
- "This is incredible, this was our goal from the beginning to get to the College Cup and have an opportunity to win the who thing so we just need to keep checking boxes so hopefully we can check another one on Friday." – Derek Dodson
- "I just had to put it on target and right when I hit it I knew it was going in, it was such a good feeling to hear the crowd and it was really a confidence booster for the team because we came out of it in control." – Jacob Montes
- "Every team that gets to a College Cup feels like they have a special team. When you get to this stage, everyone is having the same ride where they've been through adversity and they've played good teams and found a way through. Everyone one of those teams that gets to that level is in a special place having a special year which makes it all the more difficult to knock that team off. But I think for our guys it's a lot of validation for how hard they work. We started out preseason with a group that believed they were deep and believed they were good and then the season proves it out. I'm just incredibly proud of the team and that the older guys, the senior leadership has been excellent. The evolution of each player has continued to progress through the season and it's what you need to have this kind of a run. You need a little bit of luck, but you need a group of committed good players." – Head Coach Brian Wiese
How it Happened
- The Huskies got on the board in the fourth minute as Jaret Townsend curled to his left and through the box shooting to the top left corner to make it 1-0.
- The Hoyas looked strong following the goal as a shot from sophomore Sean Zawadzki clanged off of the crossbar from 30 yards out as GU would not go away.
- Junior Jack Beer and sophomore Zach Riviere both had dangerous looks that were saved and went wide, respectively, as the Blue & Gray was buzzing late in the first half but could not find the back of the net.
- The game all changed in the 72nd minute when a foul at the top of the box gave GU a free kick. Montes and Beer lined up and Montes hit a banger curling around the wall and into the back of the net sending the 2,093 fans into a frenzy and tying the game at one.
- Georgetown had the momentum and capitalized as junior Rio Hope-Gund sent a long ball up the field to junior Derek Dodson. The forward weaved through the defense and fired to make it 2-1.
- Moments later, Georgetown pressured and had a chance on an open net. On the other end of the field a shot from the Huskies sailed just wide of the post.
- Late in the game, it began to get physical but the Hoyas were able to hold on for the win and to advance to the national semifinals.
Of Note
- Georgetown was outshot by Washington 12-11, but took five shots on goal to the Huskies' three. Washington took three corners as the Hoyas were awarded two.
- Freshman Tomas Romero picked up the win with three saves in the contest, while Sam Fowler took the loss with three saves to his credit.
- Georgetown's 18 wins are just one away from tying the program record of 19 set in 2012.
- This is GU's second trip to the College Cup after making the semifinals in 2012 and advancing to the national championship game after an epic 4-4 tie with Maryland. The Blue & Gray fell in the national championship to Indiana, 1-0.
Georgetown will face seventh-seeded Stanford on Friday evening in Cary, N.C. at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU and ticket information will be available in the coming days.
