Nov. 4, 2007
Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University women's soccer team (14-6-0) defeated the No. 23 UConn Huskies (12-8-1), 1-0, this afternoon in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Championships. Freshman Ingrid Wells (Upper Montclair, N.J./Montclair) converted a penalty kick late in the second half to send the Hoyas through to the semifinals. In the 74th minute, senior Sara Jordan (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central) went up for a 50-50 ball and was taken down by UConn goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe and another defender. Since the foul occurred in the penalty area, Wells stepped up to attempt the penalty kick for the Hoyas. Wells converted her third PK of the season, sixth goal overall, and provided the Blue and Gray a lead they would not relinquish. The goal was also the third game-winner this season for the freshman midfielder. "We've been on the wrong end of some unlucky results this season," said Head Coach Dave Nolan. "I felt we finally got a game where we may have been outplayed offensively, but we won on effort and heart." The Hoya defense of Vanessa Joyce (Santa Clara, Calif./Archbishop Mitty), Karen Waskewich (Laytonsville, Md./Academy of Holy Cross), Alex Garagno (Huntington, N.Y./St. Anthony's), Michaela Buonomo (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock) and Nicole Smith (Washingtonville, N.Y./Washingtonville) were absolutely outstanding and the defensive midfield play of Stephanie Zare (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest) and Caitlin Durkee (St. Paul, Minn./Como Park) was equally exceptional.
The Hoyas didn't register a shot in the first half and finally got a chance on goal in the 71st minute when Buonomo had a shot blocked after a free kick from Waskewich. UConn had seven shots in the first half and despite creating numerous chances, were only able to create one real scoring chance on Higgins and the Hoya defense. For the game, Georgetown was out-shot 12-2 and Higgins came up big in the final 15 minutes when the team needed her most. She finished with three key saves and her second shutout of the season. The Hoyas will now travel to Morgantown, W.Va. for the BIG EAST Championship semifinals where they will take on the National Runners-Up from 2006, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The game will be at 5 p.m. from Dick Dlesk Stadium and be televised on CSTV. |
