Oct. 6, 2008

Washington, D.C. - At this point in the season, the Georgetown men's soccer squad has already made 2008 one of the best seasons in program history. With eight regular season games to go and a 7-2-1 record, the Hoyas have five remaining contests at North Kehoe Field and two against ranked opponents.

Georgetown started out on a five-game win streak, not conceding a goal until 531 minutes into the season. This start tied the program-best set in 1998 when GU advanced to the BIG EAST Championship Game. It also marked the first time that the Hoyas have posted five straight shutouts.

Getting into BIG EAST play, Georgetown has managed a 2-2-1 record playing a majority of teams from the conference's Red Division. The conference is one of the most competitive in the nation, 12 of 16 teams have received votes in the national polls so far this season. A home win against DePaul and an overtime thriller versus Rutgers gave GU six points while a tie against Villanova in driving rain improved the Hoyas to seven points in conference on the season.

The Hoya defense has been outstanding so far this season allowing just four goals in ten games and posting seven shutouts. Junior Len Coleman (Basking Ridge, N.J./Pingry School) received BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and Soccer America Team of the Week honors and Georgetown's two goalkeepers' numbers rank them as some of the best in the nation.

Statistically, Georgetown is ranked as one of the top defensive teams in the country earning the fourth spot in shutout percentage (0.700) and save percentage (0.925). The team is sixth in the nation in GAA with a 0.400 and keeper Mark Wilbur (Tijeras, N.M./Albuquerque Acad.) is 27th in the country with a save percentage of 0.846. Teammate Matthew Brutto (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) has yet to give up a goal this season but is not eligible for an NCAA ranking since he has not played more than 50 percent of the team's total minutes on the season.

In the BIG EAST, the Hoyas rank second in goals allowed, GAA and shutouts just below St. John's in all three categories. Senior Peter Grasso (Burr Ridge,Ill./Hinsdale Central) is ranked in the conference with a first place ranking in game-winners (3), fifth in goals (4), seventh in goals per game (0.40) and is 10th in points with an average of 0.80. Teammate Mark Zeman (Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Twp.) is tied for sixth in the BIG EAST with an average of 0.30 assists per game. Brutto is at the top of every goalkeeping category but two as the BIG EAST has different minimums than those of the NCAA.

With 11 days in between contests due to a postponement last Sunday, this week's games begin almost a third season for the Hoyas. The squad went 5-0 in non-conference play and has now posted a 2-2-1 record to open in the BIG EAST. The team will look for more success in the remaining eight games before the start of the BIG EAST Tournament on Wednesday, November 5. The top six teams from both divisions qualify for the conference tourney.

The Hoyas will host Seton Hall on Wednesday in a BIG EAST match-up at North Kehoe Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.