The Georgetown University women’s soccer team, a Big East Conference powerhouse, had what can only be described as inevitable in all teams — an off night. The first 30 minutes of the Hoyas’ second conference match could not have been more sluggish. But in a defensive barnburner in which neither team could seem to convert possession into goals, Georgetown rode their dominant defense yet again. 

The Hoyas (6-1-4, 2-0-1 Big East) managed to come away with the hard-fought 1-0 victory over the Creighton Bluejays (2-5-4, 0-3-0 Big East) en route to their second-straight conference victory. Georgetown’s ability to produce results despite a down performance, especially against a conference rival, showcases a resilience and scrappiness that separates good teams from great ones.

The Hoyas were unable to separate themselves early on, as the Bluejays dominated in possession for much of the first half. Despite their possession, Creighton failed to create many quality chances, as the front line led by midfielders Lara Kazandjian and Abigail Santana was stifled by the impenetrable Georgetown defense.

However, the deadlock was broken in the 38th minute when graduate midfielder Grace Sherman delivered a perfectly weighted through ball to the feet of graduate forward Allie Winstanley, who seamlessly pierced the ball with her left foot past a helpless Creighton goalie. The goal proved to be a momentum shifter for Georgetown, as the Hoyas closed the half with an offensive onslaught, finishing the first 45 minutes of play with 11 shot attempts compared to Creighton’s six.

The beginning of the second half mirrored that of the first: Creighton dominated the ball, but graduate captain Julia Leas and the rest of the Georgetown defense held strong. The Bluejays were much more aggressive and physical this time, however, which offered them multiple chances to equalize.

The Hoyas’ final test came in the 83rd minute, as a handball by sophomore midfielder Ellen Carter led to a terrifying indirect free-kick opportunity right outside the penalty box. Creighton midfielder Azumi Manriki and defender Hannah Luke seemed to argue over who would make the first touch, only to reveal it was a decoy for Luke to sneakily pass to a charging Manriki, who rocketed a powerful shot at the Georgetown goal that was miraculously saved by diving graduate goalkeeper Allie Augur.

Though Creighton mustered a bunch of valiant offensive tries, they failed to put one in the back of the net as the Hoyas took home their second Big East win of the season.

In her return from injury, Augur continued her dominance between the sticks. The reigning Big East Goalkeeper of the Year accumulated her fifth clean sheet in just her seventh start of the season, which included a plethora of highlight-worthy plays such as an impressive diving save in the 54th minute off of a long-range effort from Manriki. Meanwhile, on the other end of the pitch, Winstanley’s third goal of the season ties her with sophomore forward Natalie Means for the team high, and she was just a couple of steps offside from netting a fourth to add to her total.

Despite the victory against a competitive Bluejays team, head coach Dave Nolan was not thrilled with his team’s performance. 

“Honestly, it was probably our worst performance of the year,” Nolan said in a postgame interview with FloSports’ Jon Schriner. “We’re grateful to get the result and get out of here.”

The No. 17 Hoyas drew the University of Connecticut Huskies (5-2-3, 2-0-1 Big East) 0–0 on Thursday and will look to pick up a win against the 

The No. 17 Hoyas will look to continue to build off their early success in Big East play when they play host to the University of Connecticut Huskies (5-2-2, 2-0-0 Big East) this upcoming Thursday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m.