Time flies when you are having fun, and for Georgetown the past 11 weeks have flown by.
Since reporting to camp in August, the Hoyas (10-4-0, 3-3-0 Big East) have blown through their non-conference schedule and quickly emerged as the most underrated team in the Big East.
This will, however, mean nothing today when Georgetown faces No. 25 West Virginia (9-4-1, 5-1-1 Big East) on North Kehoe Field.
A win would nearly ensure a spot in the Big East Tournament for the Hoyas, who have won two games and lost nine all-time versus the ountaineers. More importantly, it could put them in a position to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history.
“Ever since we came in as freshmen it has been one of our goals for our class to make the NCAA tournament,” senior defender Karen Waskewich said. “[For the seniors] this is it. It’s the end, and if we don’t perform well in these next two weeks it’s over.”
Standing in Georgetown’s way is one of the perennial powers in the Big East. West Virginia has been to seven consecutive NCAA tournaments, including last season when they lost to rival Virginia in the first round.
The Mountaineers are led by junior forward Deana Everrett, who has seven goals and seven assists in 14 games, and senior midfielder Ashley Banks, who has six goals and eight assists this season.
“They’re particularly dangerous on set pieces,” Georgetown Head Coach Dave Nolan said. “They spend a lot of time on them and have the personality of players who try to make something happen off of them. We’re going to have to be very cautious on set pieces as to how we match up.”
After traveling to Marquette and Notre Dame, both of which were ranked No. 24 when Georgetown played them, the Hoyas are confident that they are well prepared for a team of West Virginia’s caliber.
“They’re going to be physical and good, but I think they’re somewhere between Marquette and Notre Dame,” senior forward Sara Jordan said. “So we’ve seen similar teams.”
Last year, West Virginia’s firepower was on display in organtown as they rolled over Georgetown 3-0. Everrett had two goals and an assist to lead the Mountaineers.
While the Hoyas are using last year’s loss as motivation, it is their upset victory in 2004, over then-No. 16 West Virginia, which is a source of hope for a team looking for the surprise win.
Waskewich scored a goal in the eighth minute of play for that 1-0 victory.
“We upset them when [the seniors] were freshmen,” Nolan said. “We feel we can play with any team in our conference, especially at home.”
Returning to North Kehoe Field for the first time since Sept. 28, the Hoyas feel that intangibles, such as familiar bounces on their home field and a home crowd, will pay dividends this afternoon.
“Our home support has always been very good,” Nolan said. “The Hoya Hooligans have been great all season for us. It would be great if we could get a big crowd out for West Virginia because they always bring out a big crowd when we go there.”
Sunday, Georgetown plays host to Big East lightweight Pittsburgh (6-8, 1-6). The Panthers have lost five conference games in a row, but two of those came in overtime.
Two wins this weekend would guarantee Georgetown a spot in the Big East Tournament for the first time since 2005. Throw in talk of the NCAA tournament, and with three games to play after today, it would be all too easy for the Hoyas to get distracted. The team, however, remains focused on the task at hand.
“We have to take it one game at a time, and focus on who we’re playing,” said Jordan, who leads Georgetown with four goals. “West Virginia would be a big game for us to win, and we know that. It just comes down to us coming out and performing.”
Nolan expects a physical, one-goal contest – like most Big East games – but with his team’s confidence levels high on its home field, he anticipates a Georgetown victory.
“We may have to dodge a couple of bullets early from their pressure, but still be composed when we get the ball,” he said. “I think we can go toe-to-toe with them, and let our good players and theirs decide the game. I fancy our chances for an upset.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. on North Kehoe Field.