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

MEN’S SOCCER | Hoyas to Face Rival Wildcats on Road

RICHARD+SCHOFIELD+FOR+THE+HOYA%0AJunior+goalkeeper+JT+Marcinkowski+has+made+28+saves+this+season%2C+allowing+nine+goals+in+11+games.
RICHARD SCHOFIELD FOR THE HOYA Junior goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski has made 28 saves this season, allowing nine goals in 11 games.
RICHARD SCHOFIELD FOR THE HOYA
Junior goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski has made 28 saves this season, allowing nine goals in 11 games.

After a 3-0 win over the No. 18 Butler Bulldogs and a 2-1 loss to the No. 11 Duke Blue Devils, the No. 9 Georgetown Hoyas (8-2-1, 3-1 Big East) will travel to Chester, Pa., to face the Villanova Wildcats on Friday Oct. 13.

Despite the quick turnaround, the Hoyas will seek a quick recovery from their close loss in their last game to the Blue Devils (10-2-1, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). Friday’s game against Villanova will be Georgetown’s third game in under a week.

“Friday feels like a long way away but it’s only three days, so we’ll have to be ready for that. Recovery is going to be the biggest thing,” Georgetown Head Coach Brian Wiese said.

This matchup against Villanova (6-6, 2-2 Big East) is Georgetown’s fifth conference game of the season. With the Hoyas already atop the Big East table, a win over the Wildcats would mark four conference wins and would help them cement their place as the team to beat in the Big East.

Playing Villanova on the road will provide a unique challenge for Georgetown seeing that the Wildcats have amassed an impressive 5-1 record at home. However, this game will not be played at Villanova’s usual home stadium. It will instead be played at Talen Energy Stadium, the home of the local Major League Soccer team, the Philadelphia Union.

Despite the close loss to Duke on Columbus Day, Georgetown’s approach to the rest of the season remains unchanged.

“The mindset has been the same from the very start, just win as many games as we can,” junior goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski said.

Villanova is led by a trio of midfielders, senior midfielders Lucas Hodges and Andreas Bartosinski and freshman midfielder Theo Quartey. Hodges leads the team with five goals and 13 points on the year while Quartey is tied for sixth in the Big East with two goals during conference play. Rounding out the midfield, Bartosinski has three goals and one assist on the year.

Although the Hoyas gave up two goals to the Blue Devils in the previous game, they will look to continue their strong defensive performances in Big East play. The Hoyas are tied for first in the Big East in goals allowed, having only conceded three times in four games.

“Chemistry is a big part [of our defense]. We’ve had some changing pieces in the back line and it hasn’t been the same back line the entire season. So, the communication is really key, making sure everyone is on the same page all at the same time. And I think it’s also about our confidence. We know that no team should put more than a goal by us,” Marcinkowksi said.

With sophomore forward Achara picking up a knock in the game against Butler and missing the following game against Duke, Georgetown must be prepared for life without their star forward in the upcoming games. Achara leads the team with six goals and 13 points on the season.

“I think these next few games without Achara we have to get in the trenches and know it’s going to be a battle every game and I think this team can do it.  Good teams always find a way to win,” junior defender Peter Schropp said.

One of the keys to success for the Hoyas’ attack has been freshman forward Derek Dodson. Dodson has been impressive in the last two games, scoring a goal in the Duke and Butler (7-4, 3-1 Big East) games.

Dodson is currently second on the team in both goals and points with five and eleven, respectively. He is also tied for first in the Big East in goals, having scored three during conference play.

“Guys have stepped up [following Achara’s injury] like Derek Dodson, who’s done unbelievable as a freshman” junior defender Brendan McDonough said.

The game against the Wildcats is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13 at Talen Energy Stadium.

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