WASHINGTON, D.C. – A stout defensive effort by Villanova wasn't enough Wednesday as Georgetown used two second half goals to post a 2-0 win over the Wildcats in a BIG EAST match played at Shaw Field.
 
Villanova's defense was locked in for more than 60 minutes, holding the Hoyas (9-2-1 overall, 5-1 BIG EAST) without a score before Georgetown changed the tenor of the contest with a goal at 63:21.
 
"We were really just trying to slow them down and minimize the space we had to cover," stated Villanova head coach Tom Carlin. "We had very good discipline and carried out the game plan. Unfortunately, we had a little lull in the second half, and they took advantage."
 
On the other side, Villanova was unable to find the finishing piece to get a goal that could easily have altered the direction of this one.
 
"I thought we created some good chances," Carlin said. "They didn't go in, though, and that's when you are vulnerable."
 
The Wildcats and Hoyas were level into the 20^th minute when junior forward Balthi Saunders sent a blast from 25 yards out that sailed over the goal. Later in the period, freshman Belmar Joseph had a glorious chance stationed inside the 18-yard box to the right of the goalkeeper. But his re-directed header went to the left side of the goal, keeping the match deadlocked at zero.
 
"We thought we'd get some attacking chances, and we did," said Carlin.
 
Georgetown's best chance of the period came in the final minute. A blast from the Hoyas' Kieran Saergant was on frame and forced Dickey to make a diving stop with his left hand. Georgetown's Cole Parete collected the rebound with Dickey still on the turf but a sliding Marcus Brenes was able to block that bid and keep the contest even at zero when the horn for halftime sounded.
 
After surrendering 12 goals in its last three outings, Villanova's defense was back to its customary stingy ways. It limited the explosive Hoyas to six first half shots, with only two of those on frame. Villanova, though, hoped to add a touch more quality in the Hoyas' third of the pitch after just two first half shots over the first 45 minutes.
 
"It was a good effort," said Carlin.
 
A beautiful ball from Dominic Cyriacks found Branden Johns on a run in the 54^th minute that looked promising before a Georgetown defender blocked Johns' shot, keeping the contest even.
 
Georgetown began to apply more pressure as the clock ticked into the 60^th minute. The Hoyas claimed the first goal of the afternoon on a nifty bit of ballhandling on the attack. Jacob Murrell tucked a low shot inside the left post at 63:21. The assists were awarded to Zach Zengue and Marlon Tabora.
 
"Once they got the goal," Carlin stated, "we had to open up and that makes them more dangerous."
 
The Hoyas scored again in the 73^rd minute when Sargaent lofted a ball over the head of Dickey, who had come off his line towards the top of the 18-yard box. Joe Buck was credited with an assist on the score.
 
Saunders tried to answer a short while later, sending a low shot that was scooped up by Georgetown goalkeeper Tenzing Manske.
 
"I liked how we responded after falling behind," stated Carlin. "There were some quality scoring chances. We just need to finish them."
 
Dickey came up with another spectacular save in the 87^th minute, rising up with his right hand to deflect a bid by Tabora that appeared targeted for the upper left side of the net. The graduate student finished the day with four saves.
 
The schedule doesn't ease up much. Villanova has a home match Saturday vs. BIG EAST West Division leader Xavier (1 p.m./Alumni Day) and then hosts its Higgins Soccer Complex regular season finale next Tuesday, Oct. 24, vs. Army (3 p.m/Senior Day).