Men's Soccer pounds Nova 2-0: Hoya Blue Owns Nova

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Congratulations to the Men's soccer team who absolutely out-played Nova today - one absolutely beautiful goal on a bicycle kick 8 meters out in the first half gave the Hoyas the lead and another one on a strange play after a Nova defensive hemorage was more than enough insurance.

By far the funniest thing was that Nova seemed taken out of their element from the very beginning because Hoya Blue had its best student section for Men's soccer to date. I would say that there were about 70 to 80 Hoya Blue people at the game - almost all of them wearing the new blue t-shirts. The student section got results too - a yellow was issued to the head coach of Nova after Hoya Blue made some cracks about his age ("calm down, grandpa", "back to the home", and "did you take your pills today?" were all used). After very little good-natured abuse the old man errupted like an old grizzled volcano and spewed an obsenity the likes of which cannot be mentioned on this board. He received a yellow for his embarassing display - but he wouldn't be the only member of the coaching staff to display the professionalism and calm demeanor that we all associate with Nova's Men's Soccer program.

Following their coach's outburst (which would make Bobby Knight blush) - Nova decided to foul every Hoya player on the field. I believe that at least 5 yellows were issued to Nova players - making me wonder who will play in their next Big East game.

After the first absolutely beautiful goal some of the Hoya players jumped up into the student section - it was good times.

After strict instructions from the Athletic Department to keep our cheers not directed at individuals specifically HB continued to own each and every one of the Nova players - the coaching staff of Nova was actually monitoring what we said to try to get us kicked out.

After the game a Nova assistant walked to midfield in front of the scorers table while HB was singing the fight song and challenged us to fight him - but only one at a time - very brave and very professional. HB, needless to say, had an EXCELLENT time and will create the same atmosphere this Sunday.

[CTHoya08]

Get a haircut!

[jerseyhoya34]

"We just couldn't get the score that would have changed the whole mood of the game."
-Villanova HC Larry Sullivan

villanova.collegesports.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/092305aaa.html

BTW, a few soccer alums approached the HB Director of Personnel after the game to thank HB and to express appreciation. Many thanks to the soccer team for a good game.

[GUHoya07]

AMAZING! That's all I can say about how great the game was today. Best atmosphere I've experienced at any sporting event other than Men's Basketball at Georgetown, lets keep up the awesome work Boys!!!!

[RBHoya]

One of the crazier sporting events in recent Georgetown history I'd say... Nowhere near the numbers you get at a hoops game, but everybody was pumped up.

Not sure exactly what transpired between the Nova headcoach and some of the guys in our student section nearest him. As I was telling 007, there is a definite line that ought not be crossed, and I don't know that all of the people in the student section, especially the freshmen, fully understand that. There mayve been some stuff said that shouldn't have been said, I'm honestly not sure because I can't hear everything that goes on. Nonetheless, visiting teams should expect to take some heckling, and it's very unprofessional to turn around during the middle of the game and yell "You guys are a bunch of --------" to the crowd.

Even less professional though was the Nova bigshot assisstant who decided to stand in front of the student section and challenge any one of us to hop the rail and fight him. Real toughguy, obviously . If any of us hops the rail surely we're the ones who get in trouble with the University. Unlike him, we have too much to lose to do something so retarded.

Most of the players seem to take the ribbing in the correct spirit. It's just part of the game, and so long as we're not cursing anyone out or talking about anyones family, then you just blow it off when youre the visiting team, and you focus on the game. It seems to be the opposing coaches who have been unable to deal with our student section, which is a real shame since they're "pros". I mean, I'm not condoning fans being abusive and crossing the line, and I don't know if that happened today or not... but personally if I were a Nova soccer fan or someone who worked in the Nova athletic department, I'd be absolutely mortified with the behavior of the coaches.

On a lighter note, an inpsired performance by the team today. Ben's goal was SICK, and I loved the celebration afterward when the team came over and celebrated with the screaming student section. Great moment. Our defense was excellent all day as usual. Great job by the guys, and I cant wait for sundays game.

[GUHoya07]

Does anyone (like some of the alums reading this board) have GU All Access? The game today was apparently broadcast through that and I'd be really interested in seeing how loud we were on that and how the atmosphere at the game appeared in general through that.

[jerseyhoya34]

I agree, RB. I thought the Nova coaches crossed a line too, and I think overall play reflected that. They had something like 6 yellows today for cheap shots, cursing, etc. I thought the students today contributed to an overall level of Nova frustration.

Tip my cap to RB for a very successful first event under his leadership.

[GUHoya07]

You should clarify that for those who don't understand Jersey. RB was chosen as Events Officer by Tom and Me after we went through applications and decided on the board earlier this week.

We definitely had a huge impact on the game, there was no doubt that we were in Nova's head big time and also that we lifted our teams level of play. The Lambeau Leap style jump into the stands today by one of our players after a goal was incredible. Im assuming it was Ben Jefferson-Dow after he scored, but everyone including me was going so crazy I can't say for sure.

[RBHoya]

jerseyhoya34 said:

Tip my cap to RB for a very successful first event under his leadership.

Thanks, but I really had very little to do with the success. The key is getting people out, and today they game out. We made a ton of noise and definitly impacted the game.

[SoCal Hoya85]

Getting people out from now on is going to get easier and easier with that atmosphere. Its just something that builds, if you get people out there then there will be a great atmosphere have a great atmosphere and you will get more people. Word of mouth will help for sure. Volunteer forms keep pouring in, and once we get the floor leader/dorm captain relationship established I can see the day when we pull larger numbers than these consistently.

[Nevada Hoya]

Okay, got to get you guys out to the XC meets. ;D
Go Hoyas!!!

[JimmyHoya]

I don't think we crossed any lines. They simply weren't prepared for the taunting. Maybe I'm just a jaded Hoya fan, but I doubt 'nova gets anymore fans at their soccer games than we do. It was unusual anad annoying and they reacted as such.

There were a few bad apples, but I can't recall many, if any, group cheers that were in poor taste during the 65 minutes of game time I saw.

What an awesome time. Everyone I've talked has been estatic about it all. Helluva afternoon!

[GUHoya07]

I would be willing to bet that they never face that kind of atmosphere at games. We had a good turnout, but regardless of total attendance as compared with other schools, our student section was awesome! There is no way they are used to that sort of cheering and taunting and that's why we got in their heads so much, and we're gonna keep getting in team's heads and create the best Big East home field advantage!!!

There's one thing I keep thinking about. If we can get this many people out to games,cheering and going crazy for college soccer, just imagine what basketball season is gonna be like. Spirit is going to be absolutely incredible and you're gonna be able to feel it and see it all over campus.

I'm really proud of everyone and grateful that we have so many awesome people helping us realize our dreams of raising school spirit and attendance/atmosphere at games to an unprecedented level. This year is gonna be amazing, lets keep building and never let up !!!!

[TBird41]

There was some problems with language--part of the reason why the Ath. Dept. came down and talked to us. I think it pretty muched stopped after that. I was grilling til right before the coach got the Yellow, so I don't know what was going on there, but it was LOUD.

That being said, after that yellow card, nothing I heard crossed any lines in my opinion.

[FLHoya]

jimmyhoya said:

I don't think we crossed any lines. They simply weren't prepared for the taunting. Maybe I'm just a jaded Hoya fan, but I doubt 'nova gets anymore fans at their soccer games than we do. It was unusual anad annoying and they reacted as such.

Helmet sticker for Jimmy!

Heck, helmet stickers for everyone today!

This actually made my afternoon. I was basically running out the clock on a long and excruciatingly boring day at work--one of those "I wish I was outside" types, compounded by the fact that I work anywhere between 1 and 3 floors below street level. So about 15 minutes before I left at 6:00, I checked the board--which I NEVER do at work (2% out of respect for the job, 98% out of fear of deathly reprisals). Knew the soccer game was going on. Miss 3pm weekday soccer games, used to go to a lot, especially Senior year. Nothing better than blowing off class on a nice day and watching soccer. Not many people seemed to realize this.

So, StPete, your recap made me very happy. Made me laugh, made a customer look at me funny.

I realized this morning that by coincidence, the third part of my column "Three Days With Hoya Blue"--which takes place at a Hoya Blue BBQ/soccer game--was going to come out on the same as another Hoya Blue BBQ/soccer game.

I've told a few people in Hoya Blue one of my few complaints with how the column turned out was that I did the events too soon. I got what I wanted--the goal was really to see the new Hoya Blue at its very beginning. But at least two of the "events" I did--the tabling and the soccer game--have already been surpassed by bigger and better ones. It's like when I told Kurt I had an over-under at 30 on how many basketball tickets HB would sell in NSO and I took under. Lost the bet in four hours. I have an incredibly high view of Hoya Blue and especially the people running the club. And even I keep underestimating them.

I can only imagine had I been there today, I could have written a much better account than one focusing so much on a giant flag. It's a rare game when student fans can create that perfect combination: where they almost step over the line, but send an opposing coach well over the edge.

Do yourselves a favor if you ever have the chance: go to the website for The Hoya, and look up in the archives the old game recaps and sports columns that talk about "Pots and Spoons". I never got to see them--by my time they'd been banned. But there's a reason they're held in such high regard by former students. I did some research while I was writing the column. I thought if the Hoya Hooligans could come close to creating what Pots and Spoons did, it would be a real accomplishment.

So, Hoya Blue, you just ruined one of the best secrets on the Georgetown campus.

So, Hoya Hooligans, you just ruined the petulant crybabying of Big East soccer coaches past that killed one of the best kept traditions in Hoya fandom.

So, all of you, you made my late afternoon.

So, then, see you all on Sunday.

[jerseyhoya34]

An update after one game... The women remain unbeaten at home with a 1-0 victory over SHU. The SHU bench earned two yellow cards this game, but it did not require any kind of coaxing out of HB.

On edit: The men also remain unbeaten at home with a 3-2 OT win against Rutgers. The men next play Manhattan at home on Wednesday and Provy at home on Saturday. The women play SJU and SU on the road next weekend in league play.

[hoya4ever]

I think it is just the presence of many students supporting the home team that gets the bench yellow cards. The coaches/players must be so intimidated that they have to respond. Keep pouring in supporters and we will have everyone saying this is the toughest field to play on!

[lichoya68]

men and womens soccer both off to great THATS GREAT starts this year go hoyas itll be a good year football about to get on track too and bball just wait go hoyas

[RBHoya]

Todays game was AWESOME. I NEVER would have thought that I'd become this big a fan of men's soccer, but I really am. The team is great. They play real hard, give it their all, and they win! I'm definitly gonna make sure I catch all of their games from now on.

Todays game vs. Rutgers was an overtime thriller. After the game I was so tired from cheering so much. Ricky Schram is a beast.

I had an opportunity to speak with one of the players moms in the elevator down from the esplanade. I won't say which player, but hes definitly one of the best players on the team. Anyway, she told us her son says that we make a big difference, and thanked us for our support. I came away feeling really good about everything. I'm rooting almost as hard for the Hoya Mens soccer team as I do for the men's basketball team..... almost.

[FLHoya]

rbhoya said:

Todays game was AWESOME. I NEVER would have thought that I'd become this big a fan of men's soccer, but I really am. The team is great. They play real hard, give it their all, and they win! I'm definitly gonna make sure I catch all of their games from now on.

You know it makes me wonder how many students at Georgetown are thinking something similar about one of the soccer games they've been to because of Hoya Blue. My guess is quite a few.

I came to the two games today because of Hoya Blue. Don't get me wrong--I love soccer, I went to a ton of games while I was still a student. I'm pretty much a junkie for college sports. To be honest though, there really shouldn't be any compelling reason on an ugly overcast Sunday when I haven't slept well all week and there's homework to be done and football on TV to walk over to GU and watch college soccer at 11 in the morning.

Well--and I'm talking to every student who reads these things and even the alumni in the area who are into these kinds of things, soccer, football, lacrosse, whatever--there is a compelling reason to go.

I read the recaps of the game on Friday, and I knew I had to be part of this.

I've had more fun at the few soccer games and one football game I've been to this year than I ever had at on-campus sports in four years at Georgetown. And all of this is due to Hoya Blue.

As it was, in the men's game GU scored a late equalizer and won 3-2 in overtime--it was a legitimately good soccer game. We still could have lost, though, and I would have left smiling. You cannot help but have a good time at these games. It's more than just the people running the club too--I don't know where we find all these people that were sitting around me today, but they're some of the best fans period I've ever sat with. That's why the number of students at games keeps growing, it's why the number of Hoya Blue volunteers keeps growing. It's why I'm still going to games.

I like the phrase "It's Fun Again"--I used it in my last basketball recap and one of my recent columns to talk about the student section at basketball games.

I think it's fair to say at this point that "It's Fun Again" could apply to everything about being a student fan at Georgetown. And I don't want to pile on the sappy compliments here--lord knows the Hoya Blue people are probably sick of me saying it to them all the time as it is--but this is significant in so many ways and it's going to be real exciting seeing it play out over the year.

You really just have to see it. I highly recommend you all try it.