The Georgetown University women’s soccer team ended an impressive season on the West Coast with a 1-0 loss to the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA tournament Round of 32. The Hoyas were unable to match their iconic NCAA tournament run in 2018, where they reached the Final Four but fell to eventual runners-up UNC. Despite the loss, the Hoyas had an impressive season with a 13-4-4 (8-1-1 Big East) record. Their stellar defense and intricate attacking play make the Hoyas the team to fear in the Big East next season.
The Hoyas finished on top of the Big East Conference with 25 points, but a loss to the University of Connecticut (UConn) in the first round of the playoffs meant the squad could not bring the Big East trophy back home to Washington, D.C. for the fifth year in a row. Nevertheless, Shaw Field was a fortress this season as the Hoyas had the best home record in the league (9-1-2) with a respectable away record (4-1-2).
The squad felt confident heading into the NCAA tournament following a successful season, and a 3-0 win against Fairfield University in the first round justified their optimism. Their loss to Iowa was disappointing, but the Hoyas put up a strong fight; they put Iowa under pressure, created plenty of chances and contained the Hawkeyes’ attack for most of the match.
The Hoyas’ offensive plays represented a lasting strength; senior forward Maja Lardner was the team’s top scorer, recording 11 goals this season. Lardner had 7 assists for the season, tied for the most assists for the team along with junior forward Natalie Means.
This season marked Head Coach Dave Nolan’s 21st year with the program. Since joining the staff in 1999, Nolan has watched the program grow from a fairly unknown squad with the potential to one of the best teams in the Big East Conference. With this season’s promising group and the addition of six incoming first-years into the mix, Nolan’s 22nd season has the potential to make inroads in the NCAA tournament.
Prior to the NCAA tournament, the Hoyas scored a total of 43 goals and conceded 10 in all competitions, making them the best defensive team in the conference. The Hoyas’ biggest wins came against Quinnipiac University (5-0), Seton Hall University (5-0), Lafayette College (6-0) and Fairfield (3-0) in the first round of the NCAA. Despite an early exit in the NCAA tournament, the Hoyas’ season represents an impressive defensive feat.
The Hoyas will have to fill the boots of senior Lardner and senior midfielder Eliza Turner, who has a great reputation for scoring crucial goals from the midfield. First-year forward Jocelyn Lohmeyer has the potential to replace Lardner next season; Lohmeyer scored 4 goals as a supporting striker to Lardner this year. In the defense, junior goalie Cara Martin was solid in the net, helping the team with big saves and 14 shutouts. Martin and the rest of the back line were solid this season, among the best defenses in the conference.
Heading into next season, the Hoyas hope to return the Big East championship to D.C. However, all eyes will be on the NCAA tournament. The team performed well in the regular season but struggled in the playoffs. The Hoyas lost the Big East Conference to UConn, a team they beat in the regular season 3-1. It seemed that the pressure of playoffs proved to make all the difference. The NCAA tournament highlighted the same issue, as the Hoyas lost in the Round of 32 to Iowa. A loss in the Round of 32 was respectable considering Iowa is a highly rated Big Ten program, but the squad and coach Nolan have the potential to compete with the best teams in the country and will believe that NCAA success will soon come to Georgetown. On their day, the Hoyas can beat anyone, and if they can learn to stay composed in playoff matches, trophies will be in their future.