Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. – Georgetown scored off a set piece in the 106th minute to edge the Villanova Wildcats 2-1 in a BIG EAST match played this afternoon at Shaw Field. The loss dropped the 'Cats to 6-5-1 overall, 1-4-0 in the BIG EAST while Georgetown is now 7-3-3 overall, 3-1-1 in league play.
Villanova battled into extra time thanks to a second half goal from Evan Vare. The Wildcats came close to posting the win on a set piece of their own in the first overtime but it was Georgetown that ultimately produced the winner.
The final sequence began with a free kick in the middle of the pitch approximately 35 yards from goal. Kyle Zajec chipped a ball into the air into a sea of players. Brendan McDonough got his head on it and the ball found its way to Riley Strassner in the air. Strassner's header sneaked under the crossbar at 105:14 to decide the match.
"Georgetown's a good team and I thought we did a good job of containing them for the most part," stated Wildcats head coach Tom Carlin. "They demand a lot of attention from your defense and I thought we were willing and able to deal with it. They scored on a PK and free kick. I liked how hard our guys battled and we created a good amount of scoring chances. It's just unfortunate that we couldn't get the result."
The first half saw the Hoyas gain the better of the play in the opening minutes before Villanova began to gain its footing midway through the period. The Hoyas held a 9-8 edge in shots in the period but there weren't many dangerous opportunities and the first 45 minutes concluded with the match level at zero.
The early momentum of the second half belonged to Georgetown. Redshirt freshman goalkeeper Carson Williams made a superb save off a rebound from a Hoyas set piece to keep the match scoreless.
However, a short while later the Wildcats were whistled for a foul near the right post, inside the 18 yard box. The resulting penalty kick was taken by Georgetown's Derrick Dotson, who sent his attempt into the back of the net for his sixth goal of the season at 58:46.
Williams was forced to make another brilliant save not long after to keep Villanova within a goal. Through the first 30 minutes of the period, Georgetown outshot the Wildcats 9-1. But steady defensive work and the acrobatics by Williams kept the 'Cats close.
"When we fell behind, we really went to our attacking personnel to try to get a goal," noted Carlin. "Against a team of Georgetown's quality, that really leaves you vulnerable to counter attacks. Carson made two or three tremendous saves to put us into a position where we could get the game tied."
Then came a breakthrough.
Junior Evan Vare – a transfer from Lafayette who led the Leopards in goals in each of the past two seasons – lofted a long ball from the middle of the field beyond the 18 yard box in just beneath the crossbar at 77:42. Suddenly, the game was level as it headed into the final minutes of regulation time.
"That's what Evan does - it's why we brought him here," Carlin said. "He's battled some injuries and it can take some time to adjust to our scheme. But he scored a huge goal today and he's the kind of player who can really build on that."
There was no further scoring in regulation. Georgetown owned a 22-11 advantage in shots through 90 minutes but extra time offered a blank slate for both sides.
The Wildcats put immediate pressure on the Hoyas in the opening minute of the first overtime and later in the period put together a dangerous opportunity. Senior Zach Zandi lofted a ball into the 18 yard box on a free kick and it found junior Shane Bradley, whose redirection on a header rolled just wide on the left side of the post. Earlier Zach Zandi had just missed in a sequence in the Hoyas' 18 yard box.
"It felt like some of the shots that were going in earlier, didn't go in today," Carlin noted. "But we were right there against an outstanding team. We'll get back to work and be ready on Tuesday."
Villanova returns to action on Tuesday night when it plays its final non-conference match of the regular season at UMBC at 7 p.m.
