Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

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Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Field Hockey | Hoyas Aim to Outsmart Temple Owls

FILE PHOTO: JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA Sophomore defender Devin Holmes has one goal and two assists in 14 starts. Holmes has two of the team’s six defensive saves.
FILE PHOTO: JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA
Sophomore defender Devin Holmes has one goal and two assists in 14 starts. Holmes has two of the team’s six defensive saves.

Georgetown’s field hockey team (5-9, 0-3 Big East) is eager for an upset as it gears up for Friday’s matchup against the talented No. 16 Temple University (11-5, 2-1 Big East). Fresh off a 3-0 victory last weekend over the Colgate Raiders, which snapped a five-game losing streak, the Blue and Gray are intent on securing their first Big East triumph — no matter the strength of the opponent.

“It’s a chip-on-the-shoulder mentality. We know they’re fast and that they’re going to be skilled and physical and fit, but so are we. At the end of the day, we focus on our game,” sophomore defender Devin Holmes said.

The victory over Colgate University could not have come at a better time for the Hoyas, as the team’s five-game losing streak culminated in a devastating 2-1 loss to the Villanova Wildcats. Against the Raiders, sophomore forward Aliyah Graves-Brown tallied her fifth goal of the season, an accomplishment that she acknowledges coincides with both her personal approach as well as the needs of the team.

“As a forward in general, I approach every game with an intention to score. That’s my job. I’m always trying to tie up a couple more goals because I know it’ll help my team,” Graves-Brown said.

This attack mentality is shared by her teammate, junior midfielder Emily Weinberg, who scored two goals in last Sunday’s win. Weinberg made headlines earlier this week when she was named to the Big East Honor Roll for her outstanding offensive exploits on the field. In fact, Graves-Brown and Weinberg have quite a bit in common, as both have now earned Honor Roll status (Graves-Brown was named to the list in the week of Sept. 1) and are now tied for the scoring lead at five goals apiece. Still, Weinberg leads the Hoyas in total points at 13, thanks to her impressive assist totals.

“Emily Weinberg plays right in front of me, and she’s just my rock. Really fit, very vocal, great leader. On and off the field,” Holmes said.

Georgetown’s overtime loss to Villanova was quickly brushed away by the team’s victory over Colgate, which has been the seed to a sense of consistency that the Hoyas desperately crave. With a knack for shaking off losses and refocusing for upcoming opponents, Georgetown field hockey is even more confident after a proud win. Temple, a perennial field hockey contender, features the league’s highest scorer, senior forward Amber Youtz, who is averaging over a goal each game. It is up to the defense to limit Youtz as well as the rest of Temple’s scoring attack.

“Always in my mind is [getting a] shutout. If we can hold them, the offense will do the rest,” Holmes said.

This offense is led by Weinberg and Graves-Brown and has run drills all week to simulate the defense they will face from the Owls.

“Preparation from week to week is always tended to our next opponent. We’ve set up the same press and run against their corners. We never go in blind,” Graves-Brown said.

Except for Georgetown’s young freshmen, the entire team has played Temple before. Last year, the Hoyas traveled to Philadelphia and lost a hard 5-1 fight. Establishing consistency and maintaining focus regardless of the other team’s ranking is the Hoyas’ main objective heading into the Temple matchup.

The Hoyas will be tested in what is sure to be an intense bout against the Owls on Friday at 1 p.m. at the MultiSport Facility.

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