The AU women's soccer team suffered yet another tough loss Wednesday, 2-0, at Georgetown, dropping its season record to 2-5-0.
After a scoreless first half, the Hoyas (5-1-1) dominated the second stanza, taking eight shots, including four on goal. As has been a problem throughout this season, the Eagles struggled to maintain the energy level they had in the first half.
"We played tremendously in the first half," Eagles head coach Michael Brady said. "But we've got to maintain that energy for 90 minutes."
After a disappointing loss to Iona during last weekend's Hoya Classic, Brady shook up the line-up, starting junior goalkeeper Alison Doyle in place of freshman Andy Germain, who saved 10 of 13 shots in the Eagles two tournament games.
The teams played an even and very physical first half; both taking five shots, and each team's goalkeeper thwarted two shots on goal.
Georgetown defender Alex Gargano went down on a hard tackle early in the first half and was carried off with an ankle injury.
In the second half, the Hoyas came out far more aggressive than they had in the first. That resulted in over-agression at times, causing nine off-sides calls in the second compared with two in the first. But eventually that aggression translated into the game's only goals.
"In the second half Georgetown looked like they had more energy and more belief in their ability to win," Brady said.
A problematic pattern has emerged for AU this season. As was the case with their play in previous losses, the Eagles' lethargic second half play once again gave their opponent the opportunity to pounce.
Georgetown sophomore Karen Wakewich was the first to strike, scoring an unassisted goal on a 35-yard direct kick in the 70th minute. Then, senior Shara McNeil scored the insurance goal on a cross from Chrissy Skogen during the 78th minute.
The Eagles were unable to answer the Hoya scores. None of their four second half shots on goal ever posed a real threat to the Hoyas goalkeeper, senior Jade Higgins, who finished with five saves.
Similar to his reaction after AU's loss to Iona on Sunday, Brady found it hard to pinpoint exactly what was going wrong for the Eagles.
But it's clear his team needs to stay focused on their game and work harder to get their wins, he said.
"We've got to learn from these games," said Brady. "The defeats have to sting, but we also need to be able to move on."
Brady also said that with their upcoming road game against Columbia on Sunday, the teams' focus won't be on their opponent.
"Right now we can't worry about the other teams," Brady said. "We've got to get our confidence up so we can go out on the field with the belief that we can win"
