WASHINGTON, DC – UNCG saw its 11-game unbeaten streak and season come to an end Thursday in a 3-0 loss to Georgetown in first round action of the NCAA tournament.
The Spartans (12-6-4) never got on track as the Hoyas came out pressuring UNCG's every move, scored twice in the first 21 minutes. Ian Christanson opened the scoring at 8:12. The Hoyas had consecutive shots blocked by the Spartan defense before Christanson was able to softly tuck a ball inside the right post for his fifth tally of the season.
Georgetown (12-6-1) took a 2-0 lead on Andy Riemer's third goal of the season at 20:57. Seth C'debaca's corner kick found Riemer in the box for his third goal of the year.
Regrouping at the intermission, UNCG had a couple of chances to get on the scoreboard early in the second half. Fannar Arnarsson got free down the right side, but his shot sailed just wide. Brian Graham twice had chances at loose balls in front of the goal, but goalkeeper Matt Brutto scooped up both before Graham could chip them home.
Georgetown put the game out of reach at 82:22 when Chandler Diggs got through and scored from 12 yards out off Jose Colchao's feed. It was Colchao's second assist of the afternoon and sent Georgetown to a Sunday evening match-up with North Carolina in the second round of the tournament.
"It was just a case of too many of our players just didn't have one of their better games today," said UNCG interim coach Justin Maullin. "I don't know if that was Georgetown's doing or our undoing. Our defending is what has gotten us here this season and we didn't do it today. We gave up a goal on a set piece and also the early one."
Georgetown defeated the Spartans for the first time in four meetings between the schools. The Hoyas were making their first NCAA tournament appearance since 1997 and were home in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1993.
UNCG was making its 10th NCAA tournament appearance since moving to Division I in 1991 and the 19th overall.
"We had six freshmen starting today and three sophomores," said Maullin. "That's encouraging. I told the guys that I am not going to let this one game define our season. It has been an incredible year and an incredible journey. I told the guys that are returning for next season that they have set the bar for next year."
Georgetown wound up with a 25-11 advantage in shots on the afternoon. Peyton Ford had eight saves in goal for UNCG, including several diving stops to keep the Spartans in the match.
AGATE
UNCG................ 0 0 - 0
Georgetown.......... 2 1 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY: GU: Christianson (Colchaco) 8:12; GU Riemer (C'debaca) 20:57; GU Diggs (Colchaco) 82:22. Shots: UNCG 11, GU 25. Saves: UNCG 8 (Ford 8), GU 6 (Brutto 6). Corner kicks: UNCG 3, GU 5. Fouls: UNCG 10, GU 15.
- UNCG -
