Georgetown women’s field hockey returned home from a trip to Virginia with both a win and a loss added to its record, falling to Old Dominion University (ODU) 2-0 on Friday, Oct. 8, but defeating Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) 1-0 on Sunday, Oct. 10.

The Hoyas (7-6, 1-3 Big East) headed first to Norfolk, Va., to take on the No. 17 Old Dominion Monarchs (9-3, 3-1 Big East). Georgetown entered the game on a three-game win streak, hoping to use its momentum to challenge a ranked opponent. Georgetown’s defense did well to allow just two goals to the Monarchs, considering the Hoyas faced 22 shots and 11 corners, with senior goalkeeper Ciara Weets making six saves.

The Monarchs opened the scoring at the end of the first quarter, with Old Dominion breaking through the Georgetown defense in the 14th minute and Monarch forward Aubrey Mytych scoring her first goal of the season. The Hoyas held ODU’s attack to only three shots in the second quarter, but the Hoyas failed to produce a goal of their own. Thus, the score remained 1-0 at the end of the first half.

Ten minutes to the third quarter, Old Dominion doubled its lead to 2-0 when Monarch midfielder and forward Ilse Westera beat Weets to score her third goal of the season. The Monarchs reignited their offensive pressure with another eight shots in the fourth quarter, icing a dominant victory. The shutout ended an offensive outburst for the Hoyas, who had outscored opponents 6-2 in their past three games. With only one shot on goal all game, coming from sophomore midfielder Skyler Lesslie, the Hoyas stumbled to continue their recent goal-scoring success against the Monarchs. 

In its second match of the weekend, Georgetown was in danger of once again falling behind, this time against VCU. The Rams (8-4, 4-1 Atlantic 10) dominated possession early, moving the ball very quickly and forcing a save from Weets in the opening minute from a penalty corner. 

The Rams peppered the Hoyas’ cage with shots in the second quarter. VCU’s offensive pressure increased, outshooting Georgetown 11-1, with a shot from Rams midfielder Maite Sturm almost proving fatal. The shot cannoned high off the right post and rolled out of play, much to Weets’ relief. Georgetown’s resilient defense kept the Hoyas afloat throughout the first half, despite the pressure of 10 penalty corners –– seven of which came in the second quarter alone. 

The Hoyas started off the second half strong, enjoying their first extended possession and nearly scoring on a cross flashing across the box. VCU matched Georgetown’s play and quickly regained control, forcing Georgetown to play the majority of the game on its own half. 

The Hoyas went to work in the third quarter, playing strong defense resulting in a scrappy goal that came against the run of play. The initial close-range effort came from first-year midfielder Sophie Towne, who forced the keeper into a save and secured the rebound to tuck it away. Townes has scored three goals in the last four games, and her goal against the Rams marked her team-high fourth goal of the season.

After Georgetown’s goal, VCU increased its intensity. In the fourth quarter, the Hoyas were forced into making four saves, bringing Weets’ total to 10 on the day. The shutout was Weets’ fourth of the season. The Hoyas ended the Rams’ four-game winning streak with the 1-0 win. 

Weets was named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll for the second consecutive week after recording a total of 16 saves over the weekend.

Georgetown looks for another win as it returns home against Quinnipiac University (1-10, 0-4 Big East) on Friday, Oct. 15, at Cooper Field. The Hoyas will then face off against Saint Francis University (4-9, 1-2 Northeast) on Sunday, Oct. 17.