FIELD HOCKEY | GU Aims to End On High Note

After falling to Syracuse in its final home game, the Georgetown field hockey team (2-15, 0-5 Big East) has two more chances to tie last season’s win total with a third victory.

The slumping Hoyas will take on Villanova (6-12, 1-3 Big East) in their first game. The Wildcats are mired in a shorter — but still lengthy — series of defeats, having lost six straight games since Sept. 30.

Villanova is led by sophomore forward Leah High, who has scored eight goals and notched three assists on the season. Nevertheless, the Wildcats have been badly outscored this season, scoring 25 goals compared to 49 by their opponents.

“Villanova is always a heated game. They are one of our biggest rivals, and there is always a big crowd because a few of our girls are from Pennsylvania,” Head Coach Tiffany Marsh said. “We are excited for the atmosphere and to play under the lights.”

Georgetown’s Sunday match, the finale of the 2012 season, will be even tougher, given that the opponent is No. 11 Lafayette (13-1, 4-0 Patriot League).

“Lafayette is doing really well this year,” Marsh said. “They are having one of their best years. They [even] broke the top 25.”

The only blemish on Lafayette’s record is a loss to Penn State on Sept. 2. Since then, the Leopards have been led to 11 straight wins by a tandem of two stellar sophomores, defender Jenna Seybert and midfielder Brittany Blass.

While that may make it difficult for Georgetown to upset Lafayette, Marsh believes the emotions of a tough season will work in the favor of the Blue and Gray.

“It is hard to end the season on the road,” Marsh said. “But I hope we can end on a good note. I feel like we have grown a lot this year.”

This weekend, the Hoyas travel to Pennsylvania, facing Villanova Friday at 7 p.m. before matching up against Lafayette Sunday at 2 p.m.