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 | Muyl Shines in Win at Penn; Princeton Up Next

ALEXANDER BROWN/ THE HOYA
ALEXANDER BROWN/ THE HOYA

The underclassman trio of freshmen Alex Muyl and BakieGoodman and sophomore Brandon Allen stole the show in Georgetown’s win over Penn on Thursday night. The No. 19 Georgetown men’s soccer team’s improved to 5-2 on the season with the victory over Penn (1-3), their third consecutive win. Muyl’s breakout game included leading the team with one goal and one assist, while Goodman and Allen scored one goal each to contribute to the 3-0 shutout.

Head Coach Brian Wiese predicted in a previous interview that it was only a matter of time before Muyl’s skill paid off.

“Alex Muyl, at some point he’s going to score 40 goals — he gets, like, six shots and some awfully good chances to score, and he puts himself into really dangerous positions,”Wiese said after Georgetown’s win over James Madison last week, in which Muyl had several promising chances.

With his first goal now tucked away, Muyl is on his way toward living up to Wiese’s expectations. The goal itself was impressive, as Muyl dribbled past two defenders from the top of the box and finished it off unassisted in the 30th minute to go up 2-0.

The first goal, however, was scored by Goodman, an equally promising freshman whose ability to play the gaps in the midfield has earned him a starting spot in the Hoyas’ last two games. Senior midfielder Steve Neumann crossed the ball to Goodman from the right side, and he knocked in past the Penn goalkeeper for the first score of the game. Despite several good looks, including one shot that hit the post, Hermann trophy contender Neumann, who hasn’t scored in the last five games, was unable to convert. For Wiese, Neumann’s scoring slump isn’t something to worry about.

“Bakie got the first goal and Alex got the second, but Alex’s was more of a one-man effort,” Wiese said. “He’s been a problem for opposing defenses recently and was overdue for a goal, it’s great for him to get his first … It’s nice to have production from more than just Brandon and Steve.”

In the second half, Muyl was at it again, this time crossing the ball to Allen from the left side, who only needed one touch to put the ball — and the game — away for good.

The Hoyas outshot the Quakers 18-12, but it was thanks to Georgetown goalkeeping that Penn remained scoreless. After four saves and 70 minutes junior keeper Tomas Gomez was subbed out and senior second-string keeper Keon Parsa entered the game to make three saves of his own.

“In the net, Tomas and Keon certainly didn’t have an uneventful night,” Wiese said. “We got a lot of guys in, and got a really tough result on the road.”

On Sunday, the Hoyas face another Ivy League Team, Princeton (1-3), in their last game before Big East play begins. Due to the late-starting Ivy League season, Princeton has less game experience under its belt, something that Wiese views as an edge for his team.

“We’re getting more and more solidified in who we are and they’re a week behind us,” Wiese said. “So there is an advantage as far as our season settles.”

Though Georgetown has more experience competing this season, the Tigers have a couple players that could pose a challenge for the Hoyas’ tried and true defense, including sophomore forward and last year’s Ivy League rookie of the year, Thomas Sanner.

“We’ll be aware of a lot of their weapons. [Sanner] is the younger brother of Matt Sanner, who graduated last year, and he’s stepping in to fill in his brother’s shoes very well. They also have a kid who we thought was one of the better attacking players we’ve played — Cameron Porter.”

The Hoyas will rest on Friday and train lightly Saturday in preparation for Sunday’s game. A win over Princeton on Sunday is important for the Hoyas’ confidence as they open Big East play against No. 5 Creighton on Saturday, Sept. 28.

“Every game has its own mounting importance. Each game becomes bigger and bigger as the season goes on, if you’re having a good season,”

Wiese said. “We talked to the boys about how our focus is on the conference. If you can do well in the Big East you set yourself up for the national stage in a good way.”

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