It may take some of Georgetown’s players a few minutes to realize that they’re not just playing a scrimmage when they step on North Kehoe Field today for their first home game this season after playing seven on the road. Especially since they’ll be facing a Rutgers team that is, in many ways, like themselves.
The Scarlet Knights come in with a record of 2-4-1 and 1-1-0 in the Big East, while the Hoyas have a nearly identical 2-5-0 overall record and are 1-2-0 in the Big East.
Both have played tough schedules early on, with Rutgers facing No. 10 Michigan (3-0 loss) and perennial power Illinois-Chicago (0-0 tie) in their non-conference schedule, while Georgetown played No. 9 Southern Methodist (1-0 loss) and No. 23 Tulsa (1-0 loss). In Big East play, the Scarlet Knights dropped a 2-0 decision to No. 2 Notre Dame, while the Hoyas fell 1-0 to No. 5 Connecticut in overtime. Each squad is coming off of a 1-0 conference win from Sunday – Rutgers beat Marquette and Georgetown downed Louisville.
“Just like us, Rutgers needed a win Sunday and got one,” Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese said. “We’re both going in [to Friday’s match] with momentum.”
Like the Hoyas, who have 11 freshmen on the squad, the Scarlet Knight’s roster features 11 new players – 10 freshmen and one transfer – and Rutgers Head Coach Bob Reasso is not afraid to play his first-years.
Midfielder Dilly Duka has made six starts and leads the team in points with one goal and three assists, and midfielder Aly Mazhar has started five matches and has a goal to his name. Midfielder ike Volk has made three starts, Chris Edwards has started all seven games as a defender, and three other freshmen have come off the bench.
In their win over Louisville, Georgetown had six freshmen in the starting lineup and two more saw extensive time as reserves. The Hoyas will almost be back at full strength with multiple players returning: senior goalkeeper Joe Devine ready to play after suffering a pulled calf in last Friday’s 2-0 loss to Cincinnati, sophomore defender Len Coleman back from a one game suspension for a red card, and sophomore defender Mark Zeman now over a stomach virus. The only Georgetown player still out is sophomore forward Justin Kondos, who is working his way back to full strength following a high ankle sprain. Kondos will not be available this weekend, Wiese.
Statistically, Rutgers and Georgetown look like similar sides. The Scarlet Knights are allowing 1.22 goals per game, while the Hoyas let in 1.13 per contest. Each team is scoring less than one goal per game, and both squads play a 4-4-2 formation with four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards.
The difference may prove to be the home field advantage. Wiese said he is excited to finally play in front of the home crowd and hopes they can provide the players with a spark. Despite the vocal home fans, Reasso said he is not worried about the crowd.
“Our guys enjoy the crowd,” he said. “The more students there are is good for Georgetown, but it’s good for us too.”
The lack of lights on North Kehoe Field could be the greatest advantage for the Hoyas. Reasso said he would like the game to be played at night, rather than in the afternoon when the weather will be hot. The Hoyas are acclimated to the conditions because they practice on North Kehoe Field in the heat of the mid to late afternoon. The weather forecast calls for temperatures around 80 degrees.
The last time the Hoyas played on North Kehoe Field, forward Corey Zeller, now a junior, scored in overtime to defeat Marquette 1-0 in the team’s final game of 2006.
On Sunday, Georgetown will play host to Villanova (5-2-0, 1-1-0), whose only conference loss came at the hands of No. 2 Notre Dame. Earlier this season, the Wildcats upset then-No.1 Duke in Durham, N.C.
“Villanova is confident,” Wiese said. “They’re a blue collar, tough team.”
Friday’s match kicks off at 3 p.m., and Sunday’s game is at 1 p.m.