Goal scorer Crystal Thomas is all smiles after Georgetown earned a semifinal date with Southern Cal on Friday in San Jose. (Rafael Suanes/Georgetown Athletics)
For the last two minutes of a tense NCAA women’s soccer quarterfinal Saturday, Santa Clara stormed the north goal at wind-whipped Shaw Field in a frantic hunt for an elusive equalizer.
When time expired, it was Georgetown’s turn to raid the penalty area, players streaming from the sideline in blue jackets to reunite with joyous teammates.
In the 18-by-44-yard box, Georgetown jubilation superseded Santa Clara desperation as the fifth-ranked Hoyas advanced to the College Cup semifinals for the first time with a 1-0 victory.
They swarmed sophomore goalkeeper Arielle Schectman, who had made a critical save with 30 seconds left, and hugged graduate student Crystal Thomas, whose sensational goal in the 76th minute had shattered the deadlock.
Most of all, after a fifth consecutive shutout victory and eighth straight match without a defeat, they reveled together for a mass celebration 23 years in the making.
“It’s a fantastic feeling for us,” said Dave Nolan, an Irishman in his 13th season as head coach and 18th on the staff. “We’ve obviously never been in a situation like this before, so we are going to celebrate today, we’re going to enjoy today, and then tomorrow we start worrying about the rest of the season.”
The rest of the season continues Friday at Avaya Stadium in San Jose with the Hoyas (20-2-3) playing seventh-ranked Southern California (17-4-2). In the other semifinal, sixth-ranked North Carolina (17-3-4) will face No. 1 West Virginia (22-1-2). The final is next Sunday.
Georgetown has enjoyed 10 straight winning seasons and made its only previous quarterfinal appearance six years ago, playing in the shadows of the men’s team, which gained national prominence in 2012 with its first College Cup berth.
After laboring to break down Santa Clara’s defense, the Hoyas went ahead deep into the tense match on Thomas’s 11th goal of the season.
With possession beyond the left side of the penalty area, the Notre Dame transfer pulled the ball back and stung a rising, right-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Melissa Lowder to the upper near corner.
“The defenders backed off, so I was able to get a clear shot on goal,” Thomas said. “I knew it was pretty windy and went near post. I think it had some bend on it, and that really helped.”
Watch this UNBELIEVABLE goal by Georgetown’s Crystal Thomas that sent the Hoyas to San Jose! #NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/r1tCjSADrO
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 26, 2016
Unable to implement their graceful style of soccer against a rigid opponent, the Hoyas found the answer by striking from distance.
“When you are playing against a team as talented as they are,” Thomas said, “you definitely have to seek out opportunities.”
Neither side generated any quality opportunities in the first 45 minutes, though as the half transpired, the Hoyas began to find their way. The Broncos (12-7-4) created the first genuine chance when Jenna Roering ruptured Georgetown’s defense in the 57th minute. Schectman made a sterling save reacting to her right and Roering sent the rebound wide of an open net.
The Hoyas, averaging 2.5 goals per game, had not gone scoreless since a 0-0 draw at St. John’s on Oct. 6. Their persistence was rewarded when Thomas cracked the deadlock.
In the closing moments, Santa Clara’s Julie Vass missed high on an open bid from 15 yards and Schectman saved Kellie Peay’s shot off a corner kick before time expired.
“We knew this was a special team,” Schectman said. “We’ve surprised everybody along the road and now people are finally putting our name down and watching out for us. It’s just an incredible feeling.”
After the celebration, Nolan gathered his players on the far side of the field, out of earshot of friends, family and fans. Suddenly, a burst of laughter arose from the huddled circle.
Nolan had told the players they needed to learn the lyrics from the 1968 hit, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” and belted out a verse.
“I’m not a particularly good singer,” he said. “I think they nearly collapsed with laughter.”
Said Schectman: “I’d never heard that song before, but he told us all to learn it, and I am planning to learn it.”
