Hoyas Fail to Crack Win Column
The Hoyas played their first home matches of the season last Thursday and Friday, but the team’s home advantage and strong defense were not enough to earn the hosts a win in either match.
The Hoyas fell 3-0 on Thursday against the Northwestern Wildcats and then 4-0 in a tough match against Lehigh on Friday.
It could just be that luck is the missing ingredient in the field hockey team’s losing stew — last week’s two defeats take the Hoyas to a record of 0-6. The team has faced a succession of disappointing scores in the past and is looking to reverse the trend this season — so far unsuccessfully. Close shots by the Hoyas and clutch saves by their opponents doomed the team in both matches, leaving them short of a victory this weekend.
Head Coach Tiffany Marsh is, regardless, keeping up the optimism on the field. “With every game … we’re improving,” Marsh said in a press release. “So that’s a positive to take away from it.”
Friday’s game certainly reflected this. The Hoyas battled hard against the Mountain Hawks, giving Lehigh a run for their money especially toward the end of the first half. The Hoyas fired four strong attempts at goal within the last minutes of the first.
“We gained momentum … unfortunately right before halftime. Then Lehigh came out ready to go in the second,” Marsh said.
Trailing by three goals, the Hoyas were able to break the scoreless streak 10 minutes into the second half with a strong goal off a penalty corner by junior forward Kristen Volpe. Another goal by Lehigh followed, leaving the final score at 4-1.
The Hoyas, however, aren’t dispirited over what some may call a slow start to the season. Eight out of the 15 members are new this year, which could turn to the young team’s advantage as they advance through the rest of the season and look toward the future of the team. Expectations and spirits are high — even though their scoring isn’t yet.
“From game one to game five we’ve grown so much as a team,” freshman forward Ai Nishino said. “We’re getting to know each other better to where we can play off each other.”
Georgetown displayed this mounting improvement with 13 shots fired against Lehigh. In addition, senior goalie Dee Crovo stayed strong in both games as she racked up a consistent five saves for Georgetown in each of the two weekend matches.
Inspired by Marsh’s confident attitude, the field hockey team is ready to turn the proverbial tables as they hit the road this Friday, making their way to State College, Pa., Friday for a 6 p.m. game against Penn State and then on to Cornell Sunday afternoon.