Georgetown enters this weekend’s home stand with a 5-4 record in conference, all but ensuring an entry into the Big East tournament. Two wins this weekend would not only give the Hoyas an opportunity to move up to second place in the National Division, but also go a long way towards making a case for a berth in the NCAA tournament.
This afternoon the Hoyas play host to Cincinnati (6-8-2, 3-5-1), a team that needs two wins to even think about the postseason. The Bearcats come in riding a three-game unbeaten streak that includes a win over Rutgers and a tie at Marquette.
“They’re a lot better than their record suggests,” Head Coach Dave Nolan said. “Their system of play is the exact same as ours, so that will be interesting. There’s going to be a lot of bodies in certain parts of the field and not many in others. It will be about who takes advantage of those opportunities.”
Cincinnati has a dangerous offensive option in sophomore forward Erin MacDonald. MacDonald has seven goals and seven assists in 16 games this season. The Georgetown defense will need to focus on her at all times because she is dangerous as both a scorer and in setting up other players.
On Sunday, the Hoyas take on Louisville in a game that could decide second place in the National Division. If Louisville loses on the road today to Villanova and Georgetown wins against Cincinnati, then a win on Sunday would propel the Hoyas into second place. With second place potentially on the line and senior day taking place, Sunday is shaping up to be a great atmosphere for soccer.
The Cardinals are one of the best-coached teams in the conference behind seventh-year coach Karen Ferguson. Ferguson is known for switching schemes constantly throughout the game, and her teams have been known for their tough defense. Louisville has a .44 goals against average this season and has not allowed more than two goals in a game.
“They’re a tremendous team,” Nolan said. “Karen Ferguson is a great coach, and more than any other team we play this year she will probably play three to four systems in one half. So we’re going to constantly see them changing and adjusting and we just have to pick up on what we need to take advantage of their weaknesses.”
Offensively, the Cardinals will be led by junior forward Shannon Smyth who has 15 points this season. Louisville’s offense has not put up prolific numbers this season, however, averaging only 1.06 goals per game compared to Georgetown’s average of two. Two goals by the Hoyas could be all it will take to get the victory.
“Soccer is like a short blanket,” Nolan philosophized. “Either you have your chin covered and your feet are exposed or your feet are covered and your chin is exposed. Louisville will be constantly changing, and we need to be prepared to take advantage of what space they are giving us.”
Georgetown will face off against Cincinnati this afternoon at 3 p.m. on North Kehoe Field. The contest with Louisville will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
