Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Field Hockey | Offense Struggles in Losses

After dropping games to both William and Mary (1-4) and St. Francis (6-1), Georgetown field hockey (2-4) hits the road Friday looking to snap its four-game losing streak against the winless Quinnipiac Bobcats (0-6).

When the Hoyas open Big East conference play, they will rely on an offensive spark from senior forward Aliyah Graves-Brown, whose two goals and two assists so far on the year have given her a team-high six points in six games.

Last week, Graves-Brown’s last-minute, game-tying goal against Saint Francis helped push the game into overtime, giving the Hoyas life for another 10-plus minutes, until the Red Flash’s sophomore midfielder Hannah Retherford ultimately found the back of the net.

Despite rallying late in the match, Georgetown struggled to keep Saint Francis out of its defensive circle, allowing the Red Flash plenty of opportunities to attack. While holding their opponent to only one goal during regulation does speak volumes about the Hoyas’ defense, there was only so much the Blue and Gray could do under that kind of constant pressure.

Eventually, Saint Francis’ 23 shots to Georgetown’s nine proved to be too much, as the Red Flash eventually capitalized and won the game 2-1.

Senior goalkeeper Rachel Skonecki helped keep the score line close, tallying a season-high 15 saves, three shy of her career-high 18 saves. Additionally, senior captain and back Molly Thompson made her first defensive stop of the season.

Together, both Thompson and senior back Devin Holmes captain the Hoyas and anchor their back line. After the opening weekend, Holmes led the nation in defensive stops with a total of four in just two games.

Earlier in the season, Head Coach Shannon Soares praised the efforts of freshman left back Ashley Leverrett, calling her play poised and intelligent. It is this type of play that the Hoyas will need to build off heading into Big East competition.

The Hoyas will also be looking to relieve some of the pressure they have been facing in their own defensive circle, so that they can move the ball up the field and give their talented strikers a chance to score.

In their most recent loss, the Hoyas were outshot 11-2 in the second half, and they trailed in penalty corners 13-6. Additionally, Georgetown has only managed to put away a single penalty corner out of a total 39 so far this year. With the ball constantly on their end of the field, it has been difficult for the Hoyas to create scoring opportunities as of late.

Because Big East success is one of Georgetown’s goals, the Hoyas understand the importance of this upcoming game against the Bobcats, and they hope to execute the skills they have been working on come game day.

The Hoyas are set to take on the Bobcats on Sept. 16 at a neutral site: Yale’s Johnson Field in New Haven, Conn. The Big East matchup is set for 3 p.m.

Note: Sports Information could not be reached for comment at press time.

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