Men’s Soccer | Experienced Defense Returns for 2015 Season

Entering its 2015 season, the No. 25 Georgetown men’s soccer team (1-2-1 overall, 0-0-0 Big East) boasted a defense that had the potential to be the envy of the NCAA. All four starters — seniors Cole Seiler, Josh Turnley and Keegan Rosenberry and junior Joshua Yaro — returned for the Hoyas, creating a back line to be reckoned with. In 2015, all four players became co-captains. The defense was expected to lead the way for a team with national championship ambitions.

Women’s Soccer | Talented Upperclassmen Lead Hoya Offense

You cannot win if you do not score. This adage rings true in nearly all sports, but it holds a special significance in soccer, where goals are particularly hard to come by. Fortunately, the Georgetown women’s soccer team (3-2-0) began its 2015 season with an offense that has had little trouble finding the back of the net. The Hoyas have scored 10 goals in just five games and have been shut out only once. Collectively, the team has already taken 80 shots, while its opponents have tallied only 42.

Volleyball | McKnight among 9 Newcomers for Revamped GU

While universities across the country welcome their newest students to campus in the fall, varsity teams are also welcoming newcomers. From initiating athletes into their teams and their cultures to introducing new players to tougher collegiate competition, the fall season prompts upperclassmen to begin their leadership roles on their respective squads. For this year’s Georgetown volleyball team (3-4), the standard, universal experience of welcoming and teaching new players will be particularly challenging. Of the 12 players listed on the team’s roster, nine players are first-time Hoyas — leaving only three players returning from last season.

Football | Veteran Players Lead Quest for Elusive Success

After finishing 3-8 in a difficult season, Georgetown’s football team (0-1) certainly has room for improvement. However, the team, led by second-year Head Coach Rob Sgarlata, is optimistic that it will find more success in 2015. Senior quarterback Kyle Nolan, who threw for 1,763 yards and nine touchdowns last year, is back to lead the team in his final season.

Sailing | Snow Leads Pursuit of National Championship

In six of the past 10 years, a member of the Georgetown sailing team has won the Everett B. Morris Memorial Trophy for the Marlow Ropes College Sailor of the Year. Current senior Nevin Snow is the most recent example of the program’s run of dominance, capturing the award in 2015 after finishing as runner-up in 2014. The program has established an environment that emphasizes teamwork and teaching. The team’s upperclassmen consistently work with the younger sailors in order to help them acclimate to the collegiate circuit, which in turn helps the younger sailors in competition.

Cross Country | Hoyas Aim to Replicate Last Season’s Success

Last fall, the Georgetown men’s and women’s cross country teams closed out their seasons with two top-20 finishes at the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind. Led by All-American senior Katrina Coogan, the women’s team placed fourth in the race behind Michigan State, Iowa State and New Mexico. Graduate student John Murray was the first to finish for the men’s team, helping the Hoyas to a 17th-place finish behind Big East competitors Villanova and Providence. This year, the Hoyas have the talent and the attitude to repeat this success, led by new Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Michael Smith. Smith replaced Patrick Henner in the wake of multiple investigations into the track program over the summer.

Women’s Soccer | GU Looks to Adjust After Roster Turnover

In a season of considerable turnover, the Georgetown women’s soccer team (3-2-0) is looking to exceed expectations and prove that it can succeed. “I think we’re slated for third [in the Big East] right now, so that bothers me a little bit,” senior midfielder Marina Paul said. Led by a solid group of upperclassmen including Paul, graduate student goalkeeper Emma Newins and senior forward Sarah Adams, the Hoyas will try to improve on last season’s 11-5-6 overall record. The team hopes to carry over its strong conference play from last season; it finished 6-1-2 against Big East opponents.

Hill, DeCicco Prepare for Larger Roles

In his second season as head coach for the Blue and Gray, Georgetown’s football Head Coach Rob Sgarlata will rely on several talented veterans as the Hoyas work to improve upon their 3-8 record from last season. Senior quarterback Kyle Nolan threw nine touchdowns last season and will be looking to hit familiar targets in senior wide receiver Jake DeCicco and junior wide receiver Justin Hill. Last season, DeCicco and Hill caught 43 receptions for 446 yards and 31 receptions for 401 yards, respectively.

Field Hockey | Hoyas Seek to Capitalize on Early Momentum

After splitting its first four games, the Georgetown field hockey team (2-2) heads into its 2015 campaign with an optimistic outlook. With standout athletes such as junior forward Aliyah Graves-Brown and junior goalkeeper Rachel Skonecki leading the team, the Hoyas are working to improve their offensive production in order to earn better results in the Big East. The Hoyas began their season with two consecutive losses at home to Davidson (1-2) and Rider (4-0) in late August. Though Georgetown had solid opportunities throughout the game against Davidson, the Wildcats capitalized on a rebound to score the sole goal of the game.

Men’s Soccer | Hoyas Work to Meet High Expectations

In the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament, the Georgetown men’s soccer team (1-2-1) experienced a heartbreaking loss in penalty kicks to Virginia — a team that went on to win the 2014 National Championship. Nonetheless, this loss had little impact on expectations for the Hoyas in their 2015 campaign. Georgetown was ranked third in the nation, and with the return of star junior defender Joshua Yaro despite the lure of Major League Soccer and a history of solid offensive production, Georgetown was set to be a powerhouse team on both sides of the field. Yaro and senior forward Brandon Allen were named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List, which compiles the players most likely to win the award for the best college soccer player in the nation.