Charles Nailen/The Hoya Sophomore defender Ashley Darsey and the Hoyas were held scoreless against Yale, but put up a season-high three goals in a Sunday victory over Brown.
After two weeks without a victory, the Georgetown women’s soccer team has something to celebrate.
Despite losing 2-0 to Yale in the opening game of the ECAC Soccer Classic in Cape Cod, Georgetown capped off the weekend successfully by posting its first win of the year, a 3-2 victory over Brown.
The opening match of the ECAC Classic pitted Georgetown against Yale, an NCAA Tournament team a year ago. Yale struck first with a goal in the 31st minute. Bulldog freshman forward Mimi Macauley took a pass from sophomore forward Julie Ortega and shot past sophomore goalkeeper Lou Butler, who had stepped out of goal to make a play on the ball. Macauley’s shot hit the right side of the net and put Yale ahead 1-0.
Yale extended its lead midway through the second half. Ortega scored on a breakaway, giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage. Senior defender Lee Anne Jasper was credited with an assist on the goal.
Both teams had their opportunities, as each had 13 shots on goal. The Hoyas were stymied by Yale junior goalkeeper Sarah Walker, whose nine saves insured that Georgetown would be shut out for the second time this season.
Georgetown bounced back from the loss to put together its best game of the season on Sunday. Against Brown, the Hoyas’ relentless offensive attack finally met with success. Georgetown’s three goals marked its highest output of the season. That number could have been even higher if not for Brown’s senior goalkeeper Sarah Gervais, who had 12 saves in the game.
The Hoyas scored early in the match. Brown was called for a foul in their defensive zone in the fourth minute, giving Georgetown a free kick. Freshman midfielder Chrissy Skogen took the kick and lofted a shot over the defensive wall and past Gervais for her first collegiate goal.
Skogen’s goal also marked the first time Georgetown has led in a game this season, a streak that lasted 456:13.
Senior captain Jen Choiniere scored her first goal of the season at 30:23, putting the Hoyas ahead 2-0. Junior forward Casey cCann’s shot was blocked by Gervais, but Choiniere picked up the rebound and put the ball into the net.
Georgetown picked up what proved to be the game-winning goal just after intermission. In the 49th minute, sophomore midfielder Shara McNeill beat her defender and went one-on-one with Gervais. cNeill came out on top, giving the Hoyas what seemed to be a comfortable 3-0 lead.
Brown rallied back late in the game, capitalizing on fouls called against Georgetown. Bears’ sophomore midfielder Tory anchester scored on a header in the 64th minute, assisted by junior midfielder Michelle Sriwongtong’s free kick near the corner.
The Bears scored 20 minutes later after another foul against Georgetown. Brown’s senior back Amy Baumann shot from 25 yards out, and senior midfielder Michaela Sewall scored on a header to make it a 3-2 game.
The comeback proved too little, too late for Brown, and Georgetown held on for its first victory.
Junior midfielder Kyle Holsinger-Johnson was named Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Player of the Game following the match.
One of the keys to Georgetown’s success against Brown was the play of freshman goalkeeper Erin Mazursky, who started in place of Butler. In her first collegiate game, Mazursky stopped nine shots and earned her first win.
The Hoyas improved their record to 1-5 but have had a disappointing season thus far. Sunday’s win, which saw the resurgence of Georgetown’s offense, could provide a spark as the team travels to Syracuse for its Friday match. To turn around their season, the Hoyas, who rattled off seven wins in a row last year, will have to put together a string of victories in the next few weeks. Hopefully, Sunday’s win is just the first of many to come.
