April 14, 2008

Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University women's soccer team honored the 2007 team along with the 1999 team this past Saturday in McDonough Gym. The Hoyas handed out awards and honored the first Hoya team to make the NCAA Tournament (2007) along with the first Hoya team to earn a spot in the BIG EAST Championships (1999).

The 1999 Georgetown women's soccer team achieved great success under then first-year Head Coach Diane Drake. The Hoyas made their first-ever BIG EAST Tournament appearance, and finished the season with an 8-10-2 overall record. The eight wins were the most for the women's team since the 1994 season.

The Hoyas opened the season with two straight victories as they defeated St. Peter's and George Washington. After a loss, Georgetown defeated Mount St. Mary's and UMBC which meant for the first time since the inception of women's soccer at Georgetown, the Hoyas had won four of their first five games.

A 3-0 win over Providence was the third-straight shutout victory for the Hoyas over the Friars and after a loss to Seton Hall, the ladies returned home and had seven players score in a thrashing of Howard. Sheerena Chang set a new career-high with 14 saves in a loss to national power Notre Dame, before the Hoyas geared up for a game against Rutgers. Ten minutes into the contest against RU, Sarah Breech knocked in Liz Delgado's deflected shot for a 1-0 lead and minutes later scored again for a 2-0 advantage. Maureen McCartney's insurance goal in the second half was the difference as a Rutgers rally fell short and GU celebrated a 3-2 victory. The win was the first for Coach Drake and meant that the winner of the GU-WVU contest in the season finale would earn a berth to the BIG EAST Tournament.

With so much riding on this one game, the Hoyas proved their mettle once again by winning their second straight against a conference opponent, 2-0. Led by Karin Ostrander's two goals, Chang's five saves and great defensive pressure, Georgetown had finally accomplished a mission eight years in the making. With eight wins, the Hoyas were positive and ready to participate in their first BIG EAST Tournament.

Looking to score the upset win, Georgetown headed to Storrs, Conn., to play 13th-ranked UCONN in a tournament quarterfinal game. UCONN scored two quick first-half goals en route to a 2-0 lead, but the Hoyas stepped up defensively and did not allow another goal. Chang notched her third double-digit save outing of the season with 12, but the Hoyas fell 2-0, bringing their historic season to an end.

The Hoyas had two players named to the All-BIG EAST teams for the second consecutive season. Delgado, the only Hoya player at the time to ever be named to a BIG EAST First or Second Team, garnered All-BIG EAST Second Team honors for the third time. The junior midfielder opened the season by scoring five goals in four games, including both tallies in a win over cross-town rival George Washington. Her all-around offensive and defensive skills paced the Hoyas on the field as she scored six goals and dished out a team-high five assists.

Karin Ostrander made an immediate impact her first season as she was named BIG EAST Rookie of the Year after finishing the season with a team-high seven goals. In the shutout victory over West Virginia which propelled the Hoyas into the BIG EAST Tournament, the freshman forward scored both goals and was tabbed BIG EAST Rookie of the Week. The 2-0 victory marked the first Georgetown win over West Virginia in program history.

Breech was also a dynamic offensive threat in the Hoya attack. In her third year on the team, Breech found the back of the net six times and also registered three assists. She also finished second in points with 15. Breech was instrumental in the Rutgers game when she scored twice and assisted on the game-winner. It was the Hoyas first win over the Scarlet Knights in four tries.

McCartney scored two goals in her GU debut against St. Peter's and later in the season, added the game-winner against Rutgers Captain Nicole Giugno played in 18 games and scored two goals while dishing out three assists. Elena Cabatu scored two goals, including the game-winner against Howard, for four of her five points. Chang started all but one game for the Blue and Gray and compiled a 1.99 goals-against average. Her five shutouts tied the all-time single season record of Abby George and her 112 saves put her second all-time on the Hilltop.

The 2007 team handed out awards to their Offensive MVP, Defensive MVP, Rookie of the Year and Sarah Breech Inspirational Player. Seniors Sara Jordan, Jade Higgins, Elaina Filauro, freshman Ingrid Wells and classmate Michaela Buonomo were the recipients.

Jordan was named the Offensive MVP after leading the team in goals and finishing second on the team in assists and points. Her seven goals put her on the top-10 single season scoring list for a second time. Her 52 points have her in the top-10 all-time at Georgetown and she also ranks in the top-10 all-time in goals and top-five all-time in assists.

Buonomo was named the Defensive MVP after starting every game on the backline for the Hoyas this past season. The Churchville, Pa., native was named Fourth Team Freshman All-American and First Team Freshman All-Mid Atlantic by SoccerBuzz Magazine. She scored her first collegiate goal in a non-conference win against Delaware.

Wells was named the Rookie of the Year after being named the BIG EAST Rookie of the Year and First Team All-BIG EAST. The freshman led the team in assists and points and was named to the 2007 NSCAA/adidas NCAA Women's Division I All-America Second Team after being selected to the NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division I Women's All-Mid-Atlantic Region Team. This spring, she was also named to the U.S. U-20 National Team that competed in CONCACAF qualifying.

Filauro and Higgins were named as Co-Sarah Breech Inspirational Players for 2007 as the duo returned from injuries during their senior seasons. Filauro missed seven games but managed to score four goals upon her return, including two against eventual BIG EAST Champion West Virginia. She finished among the top-10 all-time in goals scored at Georgetown. Higgins missed 15 games due to injury but made an impact upon her return, helping the Hoyas shutout UCONN on the road in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST Tournament. The Island Park, N.Y., native will graduate holding numerous single-season and career records for her work in goal on the Hilltop.