The Hoya Fall Sports Preview: September 6, 2013

SEPTEMBER 6, 2013

FALL SPORTS PREVIEW

LOFTY GOALS GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Men’s soccer fell one goal short of a championship last season. Now, they’re gunning for redemption. PAGES 4-5

Talented and experienced, the women’s squad has what it takes to win the Big East.

NOTHING TO LOSE

PAGES 6-7

With a healthy roster, including senior QB Isaiah Kempf, the football team looks to bounce back from last season’s lackluster showing. PAGES 8-9

2 | September 6, 2013

CROSS COUNTRY

setting the pace PATRICK MUSGRAVE Hoya Staff Writer

After a strong postseason showing in the 2012 campaign, Georgetown cross country returns this fall with a talented balance of newcomers and returning runners, making the men’s and women’s squads early national contenders.

The women’s team was ranked sixth in the country in the NCAA preseason coaches poll, and the team currently sitting in the top spot in the Mid-Atlantic regional ranking.

“I think we’ve been given a very fair ranking,” women’s cross country Head Coach Michael Smith said. “The Division I coaches’ poll is the most informed, and they’ve got a good handle on the poll. I think it’s a fair ranking — we’re definitely a top-10 team.”

The women’s team will be led this year by a core of experienced athletes, including senior Madeline Chambers, who has junioryear eligibility. Chambers emerged as a consistently solid number-one runner midway through last year and should be ready to score low numbers all season for the Hoyas.

“When you’re bringing back a number-one like [Chambers], who has the experience of running at a national level as a freshman, but now has the experience, that’s a great feeling because I think she’s now comfortable with her position as a leader on the team,” Smith said.

Junior Katrina Coogan will form the second half of a potentially lethal punch for the Hoyas at the front, as she had a breakout track season, running consistently in the 4:40s in the mile and low nineminute range for the 3200-meter events. Sophomore Samantha Nadel will also bring a strong distance base to the squad this year

after training through most of the last indoor track season to run at the World Junior Cross Country Championships in Poland.

In addition, the women’s team has added a very strong recruiting class this year. Freshman Bobbie Burgess took third last year in the Indiana cross country state finals with a 5000-meter time of 17 minutes, 51 seconds, and she should be in the mix for a racing spot on the women’s team this fall. Joining Burgess in the freshman class is Sabrina Southerland, who was a national champion high school runner in the 800m. Additionally, the Hoyas expect to add in senior Joanna Stevens, who has been injured for much of Georgetown career but is now running well and could be an important contributor to this year’s squad.

“We’ve got a lot of people who could be a surprise this year, and everybody is looking pretty strong,” Smith said. “We’ve got scary depth right now.”

The men’s side is also looking to continue to be a force in the MidAtlantic region and break onto the stage as national contenders this year. The coaches poll has the Hoya men at 25th in the country and slated to finish second in the region.

“I think that in some ways we’re a little undervalued, because when you look at some of the track PRs that we’ve run, and the depth that we have, I think there are very few teams in the country that can match that,” Assistant Coach Brandon Bonsey said.

The Hoyas will be led this year

by All-American graduate student Andrew Springer. Springer took 63rd place at last year’s national championships and was the first Hoya across the line at that meet.

He continued to be a major contributor on the track, at one point

having the fifth-fastest 5000-meter time in the country.

“Obviously Andrew had a fantastic track season, really broke out, and if we’re going to accomplish what we want to this cross country season, he is going to need to continue that — and I have no doubt that he will,” Bonsey said.

Joining Springer will be junior Miles Schoedler, who had a strong cross country season last year, finishing third for the Hoyas at nationals. Schoedler was less present during the track season but should be ready to continue where he left off this year. Schoedler will be complemented by classmate John Murray, who consistently recorded solid finishes during the 2012 season.

Sophomore Darren Fahy will also be an integral part of the team this year, after having one of the best freshman years in Georgetown program history, finishing 11th in the Big East Cross Country Championship and qualifying for the World Junior Cross Country Championships. If Fahy can consistently run up with Springer, the Hoyas could pose a serious threat at the national level.

“Darren is in terrific shape right now; he had a really good summer.

He’s extremely talented and will definitely be able to help us this year,” Bonsey said.

Unlike the women’s squad, most of the Hoya freshmen men will redshirt this year, as the recruiting class is more focused on middledistance events on the track.

“The team is looking really good right now,” Bonsey said. “It’s a long year and a long season, so we haven’t done too many really difficult workouts, but the guys have been running good solid mileage.

For the most part, everyone had a good summer and everyone is healthy. We’re excited.”

COURTESY GEORGETOWN SPORTS INFORMATION

Fall Sports Preview | 3

SAILING

Anchors up: Hoya sailors prep for another winning season TIM ELDRIDGE

highly touted academics.

“The reputation of the team within the sailing community has been a great help Though it may not enjoy the same fan- in recruiting,” Callahan said. “But the sinfare as some other sports, Georgetown’s gle biggest factor in our ability to recruit sailing team has long been one of the great people is the fact that Georgetown is university’s most successful athletic pro- a great school.”

The Hoyas graduated several of their grams. Despite accepting sailors with all levels of experience, the team is usually top sailors last year, including 2012 Colranked among the top in the country, fin- lege Sailor of the Year Chris Barnard, so ishing second in the national champion- Callahan expects to have growing pains as everyone adjusts ship last year and to new roles. Howwinning it all the ever, he expects sevyear before. eral standout sailors The number of Head Coach who remain from Michael Callahan Intercollegiate Sailing last year’s squad to attributes that sucAssociation national help with qualificacess to the remarkchampionships won tions for the nationable chemistry his by the Georgetown al championships. team has develteam.

On the women’s oped. Callahan’s team, Callahan exteam embraces pects seniors Nancy what he calls an “as Hagood and Amanone” philosophy, which emphasizes the contribution of ev- da Taselaar to help lead the Hoyas to a successful season; on the coed team, he called ery sailor, regardless of experience.

“It’s what keeps the team connected sophomore Nevin Snow his best sailor but and helps make the team close knit,” Cal- also named junior Alex Post and sopholahan said. “As a brand-new sailor, it could mores Sean Golden and Greg Martinez as be tough to feel that your presence will sailors he expects to step into leadership make the team better, but we stress that roles this season.

Junior Katia DaSilva — who will skipper every little bit that you do at practice to and crew for both the women’s team and get better makes the team better.”

Because of the inexperience that comes the coed team — was singled out by Callawith welcoming novice sailors, the team’s han as perhaps the teams’ most valuable veterans and recruited sailors play an in- sailor.

“She is among the most versatile sailors strumental role by helping the newcomers learn the sport. Callahan credits the I have ever coached,” he said.

If history is any indicator, the Hoyas success he has had recruiting top talent to complement the beginners to the team’s will rebuild quickly and be one of the best national reputation and Georgetown’s teams in the country by season’s end.

Hoya Staff Writer

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COURTESY GEORGETOWN SPORTS INFORMATION

4 | September 6, 2013

WOMEN’S SOCCER MEN’S SOCCER

The road to redemption Living up to last year’s success will be no easy task, but the Hoyas are hungrier than ever.

LAURA WAGNER Hoya Staff Writer

Pinpointing the most exhilarating moment in the Georgetown men’s soccer team’s historic 2012 season is a difficult undertaking.

Was it winning a share of the Big East regular season championship? Was it watching fans stream onto Shaw Field following the win that propelled the Hoyas to their first ever College Cup appearance? Or was it beating Maryland in penalty kicks to advance to the national championship

SOPHOMORE COLE SEILER

game? Maybe it was the mere fact that no one really saw them coming.

For Head Coach Brian Wiese, it was the waning seconds of the Hoyas’ Elite Eight win over San Diego.

“After they started the countdown on the PA system for the 10 second countdown and we knew the game was won, I had a really hard time not getting choked up because of how proud I was of that team,” Wiese said.

The Hoyas, who began the season unranked, shattered records and racked up individual accolades, drawing not only the attention of the traditionally basketballcrazed student fan base but of the entire country. With a cast of fabulously talented players and a never-say-die attitude, the Hoyas’ season had all the makings of a classic fairy tale.

Except, perhaps, for the ending.

On Dec. 9, 2012, the Blue and Gray fell in the College Cup to the Indiana Hoosiers 1-0. The Hoyas were one heartbreaking goal

away from a national championship title, the sting of which hasn’t quite subsided for Wiese.

“As a coach, there’s a ton that you think about — you know, if I could do that game again knowing what I know now, I’d do a lot of stuff different,” Wiese said. “But we made all of our decisions to the best of our ability at the time.”

Even so, the 2012 season was the best in program history, and the pressure is on to repeat the heroics. Without stars Ian Christianson, Andy Riemer, Tommy Muller and Jimmy Nealis, all of whom were drafted for Major League Soccer last spring, topping last season’s magic is no small task.

Luckily for the No. 11 Hoyas and their avid new fan base, the team is returning a handful of veteran players including senior forward and captain Steve Neumann.

Among his many individual awards, Neumann was a finalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy last season — the highest honor in

college soccer — and was also named to the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list for the 2013 season.

“Stevie is the guy who everybody looks to. He’s the guy that gets all the press, and he handles it very well,” Wiese said. “He’s a very mature captain, and he’s going to be someone that we’re going to look to not just to score goals and make assists but to help everyone around him get better.”

The experience and leadership of the upperclassmen players will prove invaluable as the team welcomes nine freshman to the squad. Defender Joshua Yaro, forward Brett Campbell, forward Alex Muyl, midfielder Bakie Goodman and midfielder Jared Odenbeck are just a few of the Wiese’s most promising rookies.

“It’s a pretty special group overall,” Wiese said. “Brett Campbell hasn’t seen the field yet other than preseason games, but he’s incredibly dangerous. The problem is that he plays the same position as Brandon Allen and Steve Neumann.” “[Goodman’s] been a real pleasant surprise,” he added. “He’s this little tiny thing, but he’s so slippery — it’s unbelievable. You cant track him. His soccer IQ is terrific.”

The Hoyas entered the season ranked No. 3 in the nation, the highest preseason ranking in program history. This ranking, combined with last season’s success, has formed a hovering, almost tangible cloud of expectation and anticipation over the team.

“It’s always easier to be the underdog,” Wiese said. “Last year the team came in very much with a chip on their shoulder because they were underappreciated in terms of their quality. This year maybe we’re a little younger and the expectations are bigger.”

The Hoyas kicked off their season last weekend in California, losing 0-2 to the Cal Golden Bears on Friday but beating Stanford 2-0 Sunday. Neumann tallied both goals in the victory. Georgetown will play their home opener against West Virginia on Friday before facing No. 9 New Mexico at Shaw Field on Sunday.

Falling into the trap of holding this year’s team accountable for repeating or topping the success of last season’s squad is all too easy, and Wiese is quick to emphasize that this year’s team has different components and strengths than the 2012 dream team.

“We’re a good team, but we’re a different team. I have every bit of confidence that they’re going to grow into where they need to be to be just as competitive as they were last year,” Wiese said. “It’s just going to be a different path.”

Fall Sports Preview | 5

JUNIOR TYLER RUDY

SOPHOMORE KEEGAN ROSENBERRY

ALL PHOTOS ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA

all eyes on prolific sophomore striker LAURA WAGNER Hoya Staff Writer

Some people call it the golden touch. Others call it natural talent.

Brandon Allen, the sophomore forward for the Georgetown men’s soccer team who led the Hoyas in scoring last season and played with the U.S. Under-20 Men’s National Team in the spring, doesn’t have a word for it.

“Basically, I was just in the right place at the right time,” Allen said of his 16 goals last season, 10 of which were game winners. “The most important part of being a forward is just finding the right places to be and finishing it off.”

After the Hoyas’ historic 2012 season, Allen was invited to train with and was eventually named to the U.S. U-20 CONCACAF roster. In order to devote himself to the national team, Allen decided to take the spring semester off from Georgetown.

“I don’t think it was [a hard decision]. I took it right away,” Allen said.

“I love the sport, and it was a great opportunity for me.”

For the Hoyas and Head Coach Brian Wiese, however, the arrangement was less than ideal. “[Allen] had to withdraw from class in the spring, and as a result he

missed a lot of training with us,” Wiese said. “So he’s catching up a little bit from that with preseason, and his form is getting better and better.”

Allen played for the U.S. in the U-20 CONCACAF Championship tournament in Puebla, Mexico, where the United States ultimately fell to Mexico in the final. Though Allen wasn’t named to the final roster for the U-20 FIFA World Cup Team, to him, the experience was worth it.

“It was a great honor to play for my country,” Allen said.

“I just said to myself, ‘I guess I have to work harder.’ Start training more and get out on the field more to take my game to the next level.”

For Allen, the next level may be in the professional ranks.

Though the future of his soccer career is for now uncertain, Allen acknowledges that leaving Georgetown to turn pro after this season is a possibility.

“It all depends how we do this season.

We’ll

see how it goes,” he said.

For now though, Allen and company are solely focused on the season ahead. Last year’s success has saddled the 2013 squad with heavy expectations, but Allen isn’t shying away from them. “[The expectations] are helpful, but we got to expect that teams are going to be looking out for us after last season,” he said. “We just need to come out and play as well as we did last year.”

In Allen’s case, that means not only scoring goals but also feeding the ball to others. “[Allen] is maybe the best goal score r I’ve e v e r coached,” Wiese said. “If he gets a shot and it doesn’t go in, he — and everybody else on the field — is shocked.

“That mentality of what a real goal-scorer is is so rare that you really have to protect that,” Wiese added. “[Senior forward] Steve [Neumann] has been a great partner for him because he is one of those players who

wants the goals, but he’s also an assist guy, so Stevie’s trying to teach Brandon about how you give the ball to somebody else sometimes.”

Though Wiese admits that goalscorers like Allen are not easy to coach because of their single-minded focus on scoring, he admires Allen’s humility and work ethic.

“He’s an incredibly humble, hardworking, down-to-earth kid, and that’s also why I think he’ll be an excellent pro,” Wiese said.

Junior goalkeeper Tomas Gomez was also complimentary of Allen’s attitude.

“We’re a blue-collar team, and he is a hard worker who always brings his best to the team,” Gomez said.

Gomez had even more praise for the forward’s physicality; Allen’s bulldog-like frame allows him to get to the goal.

“His biggest contributions are his size and his mentality; he can bury past people even if he’s got three guys around him,” Gomez said.

As Wiese said, the Hoyas aren’t going to sneak up on anyone this season — and neither is Allen. Regardless of whether this season is his last as a Hoya, Allen is aiming to make sure the 2013 season is one to be remebered.

Fall Sports Preview | 7

6 | September 6, 2013

WOMEN’S SOCCER

menges’ confidence sets tone for hoyas TOM SCHNOOR Hoya Staff Writer

The moment Emily Menges stepped on the Hilltop, she knew she wanted to be a Hoya. “[Head Coach Dave Nolan] wouldn’t even meet with me,” the wiry senior defender said. “But I was sold; I never wanted to go anywhere else.”

Georgetown is lucky that is the case.

Now in her fourth and final year as a member of the Blue and Gray’s starting 11, Menges is the backbone of one of the best and most experienced defenses in the country. Last season, she helped the Hoyas record 13 shutouts en route to 16 wins — both school records — and was named first-team all-Big East. This year, she has already been awarded Big East preseason defensive player of the year and been named a finalist for the prestigious Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) Hermann Trophy – given annually to the top men’s and women’s college soccer player in the country.

More Cal Ripken Jr. than Rudy, Menges has started every game of her college career but one. And while many would be overwhelmed by being thrown into a veteran group of defenders their first week of college, Menges took it in stride.

“It was good for my confidence to start as a freshman,” Menges said. “Being all surrounded by seniors helped me get assimilated and I think that helps me now.”

The Long Island native was named to the all-Big East rookie team that year and the all-Big East Academic the next. Although the awards and accolades have been consistent over her years on the Hilltop, Mendes acknowledges that her game has changed.

“I’ve become more vocal,” Menges said.

“Obviously, I wasn’t going to be yeller and screamer when I was the freshman on the field. I’ve also become more confident on the ball — sometimes too confident, according to [Coach] Dave.”

That confidence is what sticks out as one watches Menges on the pitch. The psychology major calmly weaves in and out of traffic, distributing the ball to the midfielders and getting the attack going, rarely making any mistakes.

“Emily has so much to offer attacking from the back,” Nolan said, according to Menges’ player bio.

Women’s squad no second fiddle

Menges’ speed is also eye-catching.

There were multiple occasions during Sunday’s 4-0 win over Virginia Commonwealth where an attacker appeared to break free of the defense only to be chased down by the speedy senior.

“Hands down the fastest defender in the conference,” Nolan said, according to Menges’ player bio.

Menges was named the sole captain of the team during the offseason, something she calls “a big privilege” as she reflects on how far she’s come since being that lone freshman in a defense of seniors.

Primarily though, the focus is on the future for Menges and the Hoyas. Not one for individual goals, Menges is confident that the all-senior defense of herself, Colleen Dinn, Alexa St. Martin and Mary Kroening, along with redshirt sophomore goalie Emma Newins, can surpass last year’s total of 13 shutouts. With 5-0 and 4-0 wins over Quinnipiac and VCU already in the books, the group is well on its way, although Menges concedes, “We’re a little behind schedule.”

As for the team as a whole, Menges wants nothing more than to win the Big East Championship that has eluded her for her entire career. For that to happen, the senior captain will have to continue her first-rate play and count on the team to follow suit.

ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA

TOM SCHNOOR Hoya Staff Writer

Experience is a coveted attribute in college sports. In a world where athletes play for, at most, four years and injuries are all too common, a truly experienced team is hard to come by. Yet there is no other way to describe the 2013 Georgetown women’s soccer team. From the nine returning starters from a team that won the most games in program history last year to Head Coach Dave Nolan, now in his 10th season, this year’s version of the Hoyas is a group of grizzled veterans.

Of course, experience without talent is pointless, but this year’s squad has plenty of that, too. Throw a dart at the roster – odds are you will hit an all-Big East selection.

For the Hoyas, it starts in the net with redshirt sophomore goalie Emma Newins. The Virginia native recorded a school record 13 shutouts in 23 starts last year, allowing just 0.70 goals per game. It was a satisfying comeback campaign for Newins, who missed her entire first season on the Hilltop due to injury. It was also a season that turned heads, as the sophomore was selected 2013 Big East preseason goalkeeper of the year.

“Emma is a very solid goalkeeper,” Nolan said. “She doesn’t give away anything cheaply.”

Protecting Newins is a defensive foursome of seniors Colleen Dinn, Alexa St. Martin, Emily Menges and Mary Kroening, who have started over 200 games in their collective collegiate careers.

“They’re just so used to each other and each other’s tendencies,” Nolan said.

Each player in the unit brings something to the equation. Menges has been named Big East Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and selected as a finalist for the 2013 MAC Hermann Trophy, the highest individual award in college soccer. She will partner this season with St. Martin in the middle of the defense as what Nolan calls “the two best center backs in the conference.”

Kroening and Dinn will hold down the defensive flanks. Standing tall, just shy of six feet, Kroening will play a critical role for the Hoyas’ defense in her fourth year as a starter. For Dinn, the new season means a new position, as the preseason all-Big East selection transitions to the back four from her role as a forward last season, when she finished third on the team in scoring.

“We had a void at left back, and I like to have [Colleen’s] experience and ability to attack out of the back,” Nolan said. “She’s selfless; she’s all about the team.”

The back third of the pitch has been the most consis-

tent part of Georgetown’s starting 11 this season, as the front two-thirds have been plagued by a rash of injuries.

Returning midfield starters junior Daphne Corboz and sophomore Marina Paul have yet to see any game action; graduate student Kaitlin Bast also has been unable to suit up.

“We’re hoping to get them all back on the field sooner rather than later,” Nolan said.

When Corboz is able to return, it will provide an immense boost for the Hoyas. Corboz led the team in scoring last year, netting 18 goals and 8 assists. She was named preseason Big East offensive player of the year and is considered by some to be one of the best attacking players in the country.

“When Daphne is out injured, it takes away from our offense,” Nolan said. “I don’t know if there’s a team in the country that could lose a player of her quality and still perform at the same level.”

Corboz’ absence has yet to affect Georgetown in the table however. The Hoyas, who are currently ranked No. 13 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, sit at 4-0-0 with wins over William & Mary, Quinnipiac, George Washington and Virginia Commonwealth.

Junior forward Audra Ayotte has stepped up nicely to the challenge of replacing Corboz. Through the first four games, Ayotte has already surpassed her scoring stats from last year, netting three goals and adding three assists. The junior’s contributions were especially useful in the Hoyas’ 3-2 win over George Washington, where she pitched in both a goal and an assist as Georgetown rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit.

The Hoyas have won their three home games by a combined score of 11-1 and Sunday’s 4-0 win over VCU marked Georgetowms 14th-straight victory at Shaw Field, a streak that dates back to October 2011.

With so much returning talent, expectations are sky high for the Hoyas this year. Despite sweeping the individual preseason Big East awards, Georgetown was picked to finish second in the conference behind Marquette.

Knocking off the Golden Eagles would be extra sweet for this year’s squad. The two teams met in last year’s Big East championship in a game that Marquette won 1-0, the lone goal coming with under three minutes to play in regulation.

Nolan, however, is confident that his team can get the better of Marquette this year and take the next step.

“I think we can beat everybody.”

SENIOR ALEXA ST. MARTIN CHRIS GRIVAS/THE HOYA

8 | September 6, 2013

FOOTBALL

skilled backfield set to lead With QB Isaiah Kempf healthy, Georgetown looks to return to the heights of 2011.

CAROLYN MAGUIRE Hoya Staff Writer

If the Georgetown football team’s 2012 season was a testament to the unpredictability of the game, the 2013 season is all about redemption. Entering the 2012 campaign, the Hoyas were one year removed from recording an 8-3 season and nearly winning the Patriot League. With the core of that 2011 team returning and the freshman class one of the best of Head Coach Kevin Kelly’s tenure, expectations were sky high.

Injuries, though, derailed any hopes

the Blue and Gray had of meeting expectations. Most notably, starting quarterback Isaiah Kempf suffered a seasonending concussion just six plays into the season. Kempf’s injury was just the beginning of uncertainty at quarterback for the Hoyas — before season’s end, the Hoyas featured five different players under center en route to their 5-6 season.

“Going into the season, what we told the players was that we have the opportunity to beat every team on our schedule — we are going to take it one game at a time,” Kelly said. “If we take care of business each and every day and each andv every game, our goals can be met.”

Despite opening the 2013 season with a 28-21 loss to Wagner, who received votes for the FCS Top 25, Georgetown returns this year primed for a successful season. The Hoyas, a veteran squad, return seven starters on both offense and defense, including redshirt senior Kempf, who was granted an additional

year of eligibility after last season’s injury. “[Experience] is huge.” Kelly said.

“There are a lot of moving parts in a college football game, and any experience that you have is huge. The game slows down the more you play it, and as you filter in the young players, the old players help the young players.”

Kempf will be under center for the Blue and Gray offense that returned four of its top five rushers from a year ago, including senior running back Nick Campanella. Campanella, a twotime All-Patriot League running back, led the Hoyas last season in rushing, racking up 501 yards. Last season, opponents held the Hoyas under 20 points seven times, with the return of Kempf and the strong backfield, the Hoyas offensive woes will likely dissipate.

“I have real high expectations for the run game,” Kelly said. “I think our offensive line is gelling very well. We have a number of backs that I think are ex-

cellent … that could start on a number of football teams in our league.”

Last season, the Hoyas struggled to score once inside the red zone. Georgetown scored on just 24 of 35 red-zone trips in 2012, in part due to their uncertainty at placekicker. Last season, punter Matt MacZura won the placekicking job, but his inexperience at the position led to the Hoyas converting only 10 of 17 field goals. But MacZura returns this season more experienced, which will bode well for the Hoya special teams.

“The red zone issue we have worked extremely hard on,” Kelly said. “In fact last week [against Wagner], we were 3-for-3 in the red zone, so we did a nice job there.”

Although the Georgetown defense is a veteran group and returns seven starters, the Blue and Gray lost standout linebacker Robert McCabe to graduation. McCabe, last year’s Patriot League defensive player of the year and ECAC

CHRIS GRIVAS/THE HOYA

Fall Sports Preview | 9

hoyas

defensive player of the year, departed the Hilltop with the most career tackles in a Hoya uniform and will be tough to replace.

Senior linebacker Dustin Wharton, the preseason Patriot League defensive player of the year, will replace McCabe as the defensive leader and looks to become the first Hoya to record 100 tackles in three consecutive seasons.

“I expect [Wharton] to get over a hundred tackles,” Kelly said. “He started out real well this year. ... He started out with a bang, and I expect him to be like that for the rest of the season.”

501

The number of rushing yards by two-time all-Patriot League senior running back Nick Campanella last season.

The veteran defensive line returns eight players who received significant playing time last season and will look to improve the Hoya run defense, which allowed a whopping 144.6 yards per game last year. Despite allowing 195 rushing yards on 56 attempts in the season opener against Wagner, the veteran group, led by preseason all-Patriot League senior defensive lineman Sean Campbell, will likely be a source of strength for the Hoyas.

Once again, the Hoyas face a daunting schedule. Outside the Patriot league, the Hoyas will face Marist, Davidson and Ivy League competitors Brown and Princeton. Georgetown continues its season tomorrow night as it takes on Davidson in its home opener.

in his fifth and final year, kempf eyes strong finish DILLON MULLAN Hoya Staff Writer

Take the snap, use proper footwork, read the coverage, find the open receiver — and try not to get flattened by one of the 300-lb. behemoths coming for your head. Quarterbacks need to process a lot of information during the few seconds it takes them to drop back to pass, and it is, no question, the most mentally demanding position in all of sports.

2012 was supposed to be a big year for Georgetown senior quarterback Isaiah Kempf. The captain, who had held the starting spot since his freshman year, had a strong preseason and was poised to lead the Hoyas into contention for a Patriot League title. Unfortunately, misfortune struck on the sixth play of the season, when a hard-helmetto-helmet hit gave Kempf a concussion, sidelining him for the rest of the year.

Kempf had every right to be disappointed due to what might have been.

Instead, he took the opportunity to learn.

“I kind of took over the quarterback coach role; I was like an extra graduate assistant. It was good for me to be able to see things from a coach’s perspective,” said Kempf. “When coaches were being hard on a guy, I was able to encourage them and make sure they stayed positive and took the chance to get better.”

Luckily for Kempf, he was granted an extra year of eligibility due to being hurt so early on in the season. The effort he put in as an observer last year has a chance to pay off this year. Few quarterbacks in college football have had the opportunity to master their offense quite like Kempf.

“I was able to sit back and see the bigger picture of what is going on in the game,” said the senior, who played his high school ball outside Los Angeles before completing a postgraduate year at Bridgton Academy in Maine. “When you’re on the field, the game moves so fast and you just see your own reads. It was good to be able to take a step back and analyze everything.”

In 2011, the elusive Patriot League regular season crown and automatic

bid into the FCS playoffs slipped away from Georgetown football against Lehigh in its last game of the season. In 2012, every quarterback on the depth chart saw action as a result of injuries, and the Hoyas finished a disappointing 5-6 with only two wins in the league.

Stability under center will be key if the Blue and Gray are to make a run at the league title.

“It’s a lot easier on the whole offense this time around, especially the receivers, knowing we’re going to have Isaiah as our starter,” senior wide receiver Zack Wilke said. “Going into every game, every play even, it feels good to know he’s going be out there every snap, the whole team gains confidence.”

Simply put, Georgetown isn’t going to win a lot of blowouts this year, especially given the talent level of its opponents. If this team is to be successful, it is going to have to come up big when it matters most and win the close games.

It is going to take the type of poise under pressure that starts with their leaders and trickles down to the entire team.

“He’s gotten to be a really good leader. He takes complete control of the offense and everybody listens,” Wilke said of his quarterback. “Whenever we get the chance, we meet up to talk about plays — he really takes control over that. Isaiah has really gained a lot of confidence in himself throughout the last year.”

Head Coach Kevin Kelly is also quick to praise Kempf’s work ethic. “[Kempf] is a fifth-year senior; he has been around a lot — he has seen the good, the bad and the ugly here. He is a great leader, an excellent football player, and he worked extremely hard in the offseason,” Kelly said.

Georgetown lost their opener at Wagner this past weekend, but the game will have no bearing on the final Patriot League standings. All that matters to Kempf is that

the team continues to grow.

“We were struggling to get going in the second half, but the attitude on the sideline was that we still believed we could win, and that’s what we need all season,” said Kempf. “We learned from the loss, and we will continue to get better over these next four games” Kempf has been grinding for Georgetown football since 2009 — waking up early for breakfast, then going to treatment in the training room, then heading to practice. It has been a good ride, but one without a trophy in McDonough. This is his last chance to do something about that.

“The end goal this season is win the Patriot League,” Kempf said. “We obviously want to win the league. That’s been my goal since I got here; it’s been our team’s goal from the onset.”

COURTESY GEORGETOWN SPORTS INFORMATION

10 | September 6, 2013

VOLLEYBALL

in new big east, hoyas enter season with experienced core JULIANA ZOVAK Hoya Staff Writer

In a realigned Big East Conference that introduces three new teams to division competition, including a strong Creighton squad, the Georgetown volleyball team has its work cut out for its for the 2013 season.

The Hoyas seek to improve on a disappointing 2012, when they were 7-21 overall and 1-14 in the Big East after many close wins in conference play.

This year they plan on taking advantage of their experienced roster, which includes a majority of the core players from their 2012 lineup.

“You can’t teach someone to be experienced, so we love it that we’ve got seven upperclassmen,” Head Coach Arlisa Williams said. “All of them have seen floor time, so that’s going to be very, very good for us as we move forward.”

The departure of senior captain Lindsay Wise marked the loss of an important team leader, but Williams saw the team begin to fill that void last spring, when they met for 15 weeks for leadership development.

“Every single one of our players has stepped up in a leadership role, and everyone has a voice, and everyone is respected,” Williams said. “It’s very cool that we’ve got a team of leaders instead of just looking to one.”

Wise’s exit also meant that Georgetown was losing a four-year starter who had career totals of 866 kills and 395 blocks, and the Hoyas will look to veterans as well as freshmen to continue production in the middle.

Junior middle blocker Dani White, who last year had 306 kills and a team-high 107 blocks, was unanimously named to the 2013 preseason all-Big East team.

“She is a dynamic athlete and she only got better this summer,” Williams said. “I think it is a well-deserved recognition, but as Dani points out, she can’t do it without her teammates. Hopefully the rest of the season goes just as well.”

Williams is also excited to watch freshman middle blocker Ashlie Williams take the floor.

“She’s touching about 10 feet, and she’s got some of the longest arms I’ve ever seen. While she doesn’t have the experience that Lindsay had, I think she’s going to be a good replacement in the middle.”

Freshmen Erin NaPier and Caitlin Brauneis will provide depth as setters, and Shannon Ellis comes in as a rightside hitter.

“She touches over 10 feet,and is killing it on the right side,” Williams said. “I think that we’ve got a really good class.”

The Hoyas also have experience and strength on the outside in junior Alex Johnson, who led the team with 333 kills last season, junior Brooke Bachesta, who had 117, and sophomore Lauren Saar, who contributed 194 digs to go along with her 126 kills.

On the defensive end, junior libero MacKenzie Simpson led the Hoyas last year with 397 digs, and redshirt senior Whitney Jenks and sophomore Emily

Gisolfi will also provide experience in the rotation.

But even with the returning talent, the Hoyas have a lot to prove this season.

They were placed ninth in the conference in the preseason coaches’ poll, which placed newcomer Creighton at the top.

“More than anything, we just want to go out on the floor with that little chip on our shoulder and show everybody that we are better than ninth in this new conference,” Williams said.

The Big East retained Georgetown, Villanova, Marquette, Seton Hall, St. John’s, and DePaul and added Creighton, Xavier and Butler. While many of the schools are similar to Georgetown in size and athleticism, the wins will not come eas-

ily.

“It’s not going to be a walk in the park for us by any means,” Williams said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us.”

The Hoyas will face tough competition in Creighton, ranked 24th nationally at the end of last season, and Marquette, second in the poll, who is coming off a 27-win season and a second-straight NCAA tournament berth.

“I think we have a really talented team — they work extremely hard,” she said. “As we take the floor every single day, we’re just trying to go out and compete with passion and purpose, we’re trying to outwork everybody that we play against and we’re trying to strive for excellence in all that we do.”

JUNIOR DANI WHITE

ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA

Fall Sports Preview | 11

FIELD HOCKEY

high hopes after decade of defeat JONAH CASHDAN Hoya Staff Writer

Although most Georgetown students are just getting back into the groove of life at school, the school’s field hockey team has been preparing for weeks for what they hope will be the team’s first winning season in 10 years. Led by veteran Head Coach Tiffany Hubbard, the team will look to take the Big East conference by surprise with its pool of young talent.

“We have a really young team this year,” Hubbard said. “They’re young, but they’re really talented. I think this is the most talented team I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

The Hoyas feature eight freshmen this year, while 13 players return from last year’s squad. Eight of the team’s returning players made appearances in at least 13 games, but only two of these players are seniors.

Georgetown (0-2, 0-0 Big East) opened its season on Aug. 30 at the University of Maryland’s Field Hockey Complex with agame against Davidson (2-0, 0-0 NorPac). This match marks the third consecutive time that Georgetown has opened its season against Davidson, and for the third straight year, the Wildcats again proved to be too much for the Hoyas to handle. Davidson senior Tyler McFayden put her team ahead 22

JUNIOR BROOKE SIMONE

minutes into the match, and although that her team can accomplish a lot.

“The freshmen coming in are really the Hoyas nearly tied the game shortly thereafter, they were unable to convert meshing so well — they’re ready to take one of the few scoring opportunities on the program somewhere,” Hubbard said. the day. Five goals later, the Wildcats “They work so hard at practice, and they went home with a 6-0 victory, handing want to build a name for our program.”

The Blue and Gray expect to see much the Hoyas their first loss of the young production from their midfielders this season.

Two days later, the team looked year, as their leading returning scorer, to pick up its first win of the season sophomore Emily Weinberg, plans to against Rider (2-0, 0-0 MAAC). The Hoyas carry her momentum over from last season, when she would again leave had five points. empty -handed, Fellow sophomore as the Broncos The number of Meghan Murphy, dealt Georgetown consecutive who appeared in another tough 18 of 19 games last loss. Just eight losing seasons season, had three minutes into the for the team. points in 2012 and match, Rider seadded to the Hoyas’ nior midfielder depth on defense.

Alicia Govannicci “It’s been really cool to watch the dymanaged to find the back of the net after Georgetown’s freshman goalie namic of this team evolve — they’re startRosalie Nolen made a save that took an ing to understand each other as athletes,” unlucky bounce. Scoring again at the Hubbard said of her midfielders.

The team also expects high levels of 13-minute mark to take a 2-0 lead, Rider went on to finish the half up 4-0, three production from freshman midfielders of its four goals coming off corners. Al- Maria McDonald and Devin Holmes, though the Hoyas were able to reduce both of whom have already demonstratRider’s shot total by ten in the second ed their abilities both on the field and as half, Georgetown took a total of only team leaders.

On defense, Georgetown returns sevthree shots on the day and suffered a eral players who will be key to the team’s 4-1 defeat.

Despite a somewhat difficult start success. Sophomore Elizabeth Mueller to the season, Hubbard has confidence returns to the squad after making 12

10

starts in 2012, and sophomore defensive midfielder Louise Chakejian, who played in every game as a freshman, will also look to lead Georgetown’s backs. Strong play will be necessary from these sophomores as well as from junior defenders Brooke Simone and Tori Hideshima, as the team’s goalkeeper situation for the season is still up in the air. With the loss of goalie Briana Pereira, Georgetown’s starting goalkeeper of the past three seasons, the Hoyas will be looking to fill a major gap on defense in 2013. While junior Emma Hamstra is expected to be the frontrunner for the job, freshmen Rosalie Nolen and Rachel Skonecki have been the only goalies to play on the season, with Nolen playing the majority of the minutes.

Despite 10 straight losing seasons, the Hoyas are optimistic that this season will be the start of a new tradition: winning.

“They’re all on the same page, and we haven’t had that before,” Hubbard said.

“I think that’s what makes this year a lot different — they are all ready to win, and they are all ready to put the work in to get those wins. Our main focus is on building the program, and we’re going to do that in baby steps.”

Perhaps the first step toward that goal will come on Friday, when the Hoyas take on Towson at 7 p.m., who, like Georgetown, is looking for its first win of the season.

JUNIOR ELIZABETH MUELLER

ALL PHOTOS CHRIS GRIVAS/THE HOYA

UPCOMING home games Senior Gabe Padilla

Freshman Hannah Howell

MEN’S SOCCER

WOMEN’S SOCCER

West Virginia: Sept. 6, 4 p.m. Shaw Field New Mexico: Sept. 8, 12 p.m. Shaw Field

Delaware: Sept. 8, 4 p.m. Shaw Field Yale: Sept. 13, 3 p.m. Shaw Field

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Senior Dalen Claytor

chris grivas/the hoya

Junior Elizabeth Riggins

FOOTBALL

VOLLEYBALL

Davidson: Sept. 7, 6 p.m. Multi-Sport Facility Marist: Sept. 14, 6 p.m. Multi-Sport Facility

GWU: Sept. 11, 7 p.m. McDonough Arena Marquette: Oct. 4, 2 p.m. McDonough Arena

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THEHOYA.COM/ SPORTS

@thehoyasports

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