In a thrilling Big East quarterfinal Nov. 9, the Georgetown University men’s soccer team (9-4-5, 5-2-1 Big East) clinched victory with a late first-half goal against the Creighton University Bluejays (9-6-3, 4-3-1 Big East). With this win, the Hoyas are now one step closer to avenging their loss last year in the Big East championship game.
Creighton dominated early on, controlling possession for much of the first half and generating several early scoring opportunities. About two minutes into the game, Creighton maneuvered into a great scoring position. It became clear that the game plan of the Bluejays was to catch the Hoya defense off guard and capitalize by putting the game out of reach early. Fortunately for Georgetown, the Bluejays failed to convert.
Unfazed by Creighton’s intensity, Georgetown freshman forward Mitchell Baker fought back with a header — the Hoyas’ first shot on goal. However, the Bluejays were able to maintain a well-positioned defense and fend off the Hoya attempt at a score, keeping the game scoreless.
While the Hoyas’ offense worked on finding its rhythm, junior goalkeeper Tenzing Manske held down the fort on the defensive end. He proved instrumental to keeping the score at 0-0, tallying two impressive saves, one of which involved a thrilling diving block.
Energized by Manske, the rest of the team also started to pick up the pace. This shift in momentum spurred Georgetown’s own series of attacks on Creighton’s goal, with graduate forward Marlon Tabora hitting the crossbar after breaking away from defenders, racing down the pitch and riling up fans.
As the first half neared its end, determined to find the back of the net, Georgetown’s offense turned up the heat. In the final ten seconds, senior midfielder Cole Parete sprinted down the right side, spotting sophomore midfielder Matthew Van Horn at the top of the box. Van Horn passed to sophomore midfielder Jack Heaps, who crossed the ball into the box to sophomore midfielder Mateo Ponce Ocampo. Ocampo, who was perfectly positioned, scored his first career goal just as the clock struck zero. The buzzer-beater goal gave Georgetown a 1-0 lead as both teams entered halftime.
The intensity of the match heightened even more in the second half. Both teams created excellent scoring opportunities, testing each others’ defenses within the first 20 minutes of play. Creighton, desperate to tie the game, became increasingly aggressive, leading to mounting tensions on the field.
This frustration showed when Creighton received four yellow cards in quick succession, with midfielder Mark O’Neill receiving a red card in the final three minutes of the match. With O’Neill ejected and time running out, Creighton’s hopes of a comeback dwindled.
Georgetown managed to maintain control, sealing the win with Manske recording his eighth shutout of the season and adding to Georgetown’s 11th shutout overall. Manske’s crucial saves and the team’s relentless defensive pressure ensured that the Bluejays had no further chances to score.
With this victory, Georgetown secured their spot in the semifinal match of the Big East tournament. They now face a tough challenge against the tournament’s top seed, the University of Akron, in what promises to be another thrilling match. The semifinal will take place Thursday, Nov. 14 at the Maryland SoccerPlex at 7:30 p.m., with the Hoyas hoping to continue their tournament run and earn a spot in the final.
