Georgetown Hoyas
Overall Rank: #8
#1 Big East
Georgetown Team Page
Georgetown has experienced a tremendous amount of success on the field over the past two seasons and don’t expect that to change in 2014. After finishing as the National Runner-up in 2012, the Hoyas won the Big East last season and returned to the NCAA Tournament, losing to Michigan State in the Sweet 16. Those were just Georgetown’s fourth and fifth ever appearances in the NCAA Tournament and the first time the Hoyas had ever made it to two consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Nine starters and 19 lettermen are back from last season’s team and they will look to make it three straight NCAA Tournament appearances in 2014.
2013 Record: 14-5-2, 6-2-1
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Brian Wiese
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Brandon Allen, Junior, F, 11
Assists: Alex Muyl, Sophomore, M, 9
Shots: Brandon Allen, Junior, M, 49
Saves: Tomas Gomez, Senior, GK, 67
Other Key Returnees: D Josh Yaro, D Cole Seiler, D Josh Turnley, D Keegan Rosenberry, M Bakie Goodman, M Tyler Rudy, M Tom Skelly, F Brett Campbell
Key Losses: F Steve Neumann, M Joey Dillon
Strengths:
Georgetown returns their entire backline and goalkeeper off a team that led the nation in shutout percentage and was second in goals against average. Senior Tomas Gomez is back between the posts for his final season as a Hoya and he has been a tough man to beat for opposing teams. Gomez allowed just nine goals last season and has accumulated 26 shutouts during his Georgetown career. The Missouri native will have the luxury of a familiar backline in front of him this season. Josh Yaro burst on to the scene as a freshman last year and asserted himself into the lineup on the backline, starting 17 games. The Herman Trophy Watch list member will combine with three returning juniors to complete the defense. Keegan Rosenberry, Cole Seiler and Josh Turnley each started at least 20 games last season and were instrumental in Georgetown’s defensive success. Offensively, Georgetown was equally as impressive last season. The Hoyas were among the nations top 20 and led the Big East in points, goals and assists. Brandon Allen led the Hoyas in goals, 11, and points, 27, while Alex Muyl ranked first on the team with nine assists. The forward duo will be paired together again this season and will be key in replacing the lost production of Steve Neumann, who had 26 points last season before getting picked fourth overall by the New England Revolution in the MLS SuperDraft. Muyl spent the summer at the U.S. U-20 team training camp and should be an every day starter this season after starting 13 games in 2013. Impact sub Brett Campbell will look to increase his role behind the duo. Campbell played in 11 games off the bench last year and scored a pair of goals. With all the experience back, Georgetown should have no problem replicating last season’s success on both the defensive and offensive ends.
Weaknesses:
One thing Brian Wiese will have to do is sort out who starts in the midfield. Sophomore Blake Goodman and senior Tyler Rudy figure to anchor the group. Goodman appeared in 20 games, making 12 starts and made the All Big East Rookie Team after scoring four goals and picking up three assists, while Rudy anchored the midfield last season, starting 20 games and scoring a pair of goals to go along with three assists. In the mix to start alongside them will be seniors Tom Skelly and Austin Martz. Both players started seven games last season, but they will have tough competition from a number of newcomers for playing time. Wiese brings in three U.S. Youth National Team players that will be looking to make immediate impacts. Christopher Lema trained alongside Muyl at the U.S. U-20 training camp, while Declan McCabe and Arun Basuljevic both have extensive experience at the youth national team levels. The potential for this group is very high and has the potential to possibly even be the strength of the team in the future.
Final Projection:
Georgetown has the makings of a true national title contender. The Hoyas lost two MLS SuperDraft picks, but there is plenty of talent on this year’s team. Georgetown has experience back at every position and welcomes in a recruiting class that was ranked as the third best in the nation by College Soccer News. The increased talent level should pay dividends for the team as it increases the competition for playing time and gives Wiese plenty of options. With just five seniors on this year’s team, Georgetown will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years and don’t be surprised if a national title is on the horizon for the Hoyas.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.86 (22nd in nation, 1st in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.46 (2, 1)
Shutout Percentage: 0.67 (1, 1)
Save Percentage: 0.884 (2, 1)
Madness 2015 MLS Draft Rankings:
#20 Joshua Yaro
#32 Tomas Gomez
Madness 2014 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#23 Christopher Lema
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Men's Soccer Previews
