The AU men’s soccer team (5-5) lost to Georgetown University (5-4-1) by a score of 3-2 Wednesday at Reeves Field in a clash of clubs looking for a spark for the rest of their season.
American, coming off a strong win over Army, 2-0, was looking to win its first back-to-back games of the season.
Starting off the first half, the Eagles did not compare to the form they had in its past few games. With the defense struggling to force the Hoyas out of the defensive third of the field, junior goalkeeper Matt Makowski was kept busy saving shot after shot.
“We didn’t come out. Too many times one-on-one we were getting beat on the dribble,” Makowski said. “But I don’t think it was just our back four, it was all over the field—it was kind of a mess.”
Just ten minutes into the first half, Georgetown’s Seth C’Debaca received a pass from Jose Colchao and shot a low screamer past the diving Makowski, beating him to his left and giving the Hoyas early momentum.
The Eagle offense struggled early as well, trying to force the ball down the line to junior Jack Scott, and later, trying to feed senior Nick Kapus.
“I feel like we came out a little relaxed,” sophomore Alassane Kane said. “We didn’t have as high energy as we should have.”
Georgetown’s second goal came from a deflection by Steve Neumann, assisted by Ian Christianson and Gabe Padilla.
“We did a lot of reactive things today and it put us basically on the wrong foot and we gifted them some goals,” said Head Coach Todd West.
Makowski was kept busy the entire half, taking six shots on net and making some spectacular saves. Seeing his defense struggle, Makowski tried to rally his troops and shore up the defense, launching freshman Cristobal Soto into a series of fine plays. Soto’s defense was highlighted by a one-on-one sliding tackle that denied a key opportunity for the Georgetown attack.
American was able to find some hope at the end of the first half with Colin Seigfreid’s first career goal to pull within one in the 36th minute.
“Pat Mehlert played a great ball in,” Seigfreid said. “[David Menzie] went in for a good header—he went up, challenged the guy, it went right to my foot and I was lucky enough to put it in.”
Ending with 10 shots to Georgetown’s six in the second half, American appeared to take the upper hand in the game.
Kane’s goal in the 62nd minute tied the game off a deflection from senior Jamie Davin’s shot off the post, giving the Eagles hope to upset their cross-town foes.
“It was a goal scorer’s goal,” West said. “He followed up a loose ball, it hit the post, and got it on the spot. At that point, I actually thought we might win the game.”
Just a minute later, Soto and Georgetown’s Colchao got into a scuffle inside the American 18-yard box, each receiving a yellow card.
With the tempo of the game and temperatures rising for both teams, the foul count escalated, reaching 30 total fouls at the end of the game.
After an errant kick from Makowski gave Georgetown a throw-in in the American defensive half, the Hoyas were able to capitalize, taking the lead, 3-2, off of Neumann’s header, assisted by Andy Riemer.
“I think we left a guy open on the back post,” Makowski said. “When you leave guys open, especially against Big East teams, they’re going to make you pay and I think that’s kind of what happened.”
The Eagles will next travel to Pennsylvania to take on Patriot League opponent Lafayette College this Saturday.
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