FIELD HOCKEY | Despite More Losses, Georgetown Hopeful

The Georgetown field hockey team (2-10, 0-2 Big East) ran its losing streak to eight this weekend by falling, 3-1, to Monmouth Saturday and dropping a 2-1 decision to Lock Haven on Sunday in a pair of home games.

In their first game of the weekend, the Hoyas built a 1-0 lead against the Hawks (2-10, 0-0 Northeast) when senior midfielder Claire Mittermiller scored her second goal of the season within the game’s first 10 minutes. 
Mittermiller’s score came after junior forward Katie Dempsey rocketed a shot from the left corner that, despite being saved by Monmouth’s goalkeeper, rebounded to Mittermiller in perfect position at the front of the goal.

The Hawks quickly shifted the game’s momentum in their favor, however, firing two shots at Georgetown senior goalkeeper Briana Pereira in the next four minutes before successfully netting their third attempt to tie the score. 
After scoring with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Monmouth took a 2-1 lead into the break. Georgetown’s offense produced nine shots in the second half but was unable to convert any to points.

Although Pereira finished with nine saves on the afternoon, she allowed another Hawk goal in the second half, sealing a 3-1 defeat for the Blue and Gray.

Head Coach Tiffany Marsh, looking for upsides from the loss, cited Georgetown’s performance in creating opportunities.

“We had 12 corners,” Marsh said. “If we can have that many set pieces, we need to finish.”

Finishing was something that troubled Georgetown again Sunday when it met Lock Haven (9-4, 0-0 Atlantic 10) in another close battle.

Although the Eagles scored in the first half and carried a 1-0 lead into the intermission, the Blue and Gray did not roll over. Senior forward Annie Wilson fought back, tying the game at 1-1 eight minutes into the second half. 
Down 2-1, the Hoyas fought hard in the final minutes of the game and appeared to tie the match when senior forward Catherine Shugrue appeared to have scored. A penalty call, however, wiped the Hoyas of the goal.

“That goal was definitely a judgment call on the officials’ part,” Marsh said. “The ball on a shot can’t be over 18 inches high, but it was right there. It was really hard to see from our bench.”

With the goal taken back, the score remained 2-1 until the final whistle. But as with the loss the day before, Marsh was able to detect some signs of progress from her team.

“Sunday was a huge step forward,” Marsh said. “It was a really close game. We have improved parts of our game -- especially since last weekend. We have gotten much better at creating opportunities to score.”

There are seven games left on Georgetown’s schedule, and with a 2-10 record, it is now impossible for the Hoyas to secure a winning season. That means that 2012 will be the 10th straight year the team has finished below .500.

However, Georgetown still has a chance to improve on last year’s total of three wins. After a week of practice, which Marsh says will be devoted to finishing games, the Hoyas will play host to Rutgers and Cornell this weekend.