WASHINGTON, D.C. — #1 Georgetown overwhelmed #3 UConn 3-1 on Sunday in the Big East Championship at Boyds, Maryland before 927 spectators. The Hoyas controlled the second half with three goals in 24 minutes, breaking open a scoreless match after halftime to secure their second consecutive tournament victory.
The first 45 minutes produced few clear-cut opportunities despite both teams testing the opposing defense. Georgetown's Mateo Ponce Ocampo generated the most dangerous chances early, forcing UConn goalkeeper Kyle Durham into several saves. UConn countered with efforts from Marco Valentic and Balthazar Saunders, but neither team could find the breakthrough before the interval.
Georgetown emerged from halftime with renewed intensity and struck first in the 65th minute when Mateo Ponce Ocampo converted with an assist from Mitchell Baker and Zach Zengue. The goal opened the floodgates for the top-seeded Hoyas. Ponce Ocampo added his second goal just 79 seconds later to extend Georgetown's advantage to 2-0 and effectively shift momentum decisively in the home team's favor.
UConn responded with a goal from Balthazar Saunders in the 71st minute, assisted by Austin Brummett and Max Gummesson, cutting the deficit to one. The Huskies' third-seeded squad briefly threatened a comeback, but Georgetown's defense tightened immediately. Loukas Maroutsis sealed the victory with a goal in the 72nd minute, restoring the two-goal cushion that Georgetown would maintain through the final whistle.
Georgetown's shot advantage proved decisive. The Hoyas generated 15 total shots with seven on target, while UConn managed 12 attempts and six on goal. Georgetown's corner kick advantage of 5-2 also reflected their territorial control, particularly in the second half when they dominated possession. Both teams recorded five saves apiece, indicating neither goalkeeper was overwhelmed despite the lopsided scoreline.
The victory extended Georgetown's winning streak to two games following their 2-0 championship semifinal triumph over #4 Providence on November 13. UConn, which had won its previous tournament match against #2 Akron 2-1, saw its four-game unbeaten run end with this loss. The Hoyas improved to 12-3-4 overall while UConn fell to 11-4-4, both teams maintaining elite national tournament credentials despite the result.
Georgetown's second-half adjustments proved decisive. The Hoyas made five substitutions at halftime, completely refreshing their lineup and injecting fresh legs into their attack. This tactical shift paid immediate dividends as the new personnel created immediate problems for UConn's defense. The combination of Ponce Ocampo's clinical finishing and the supporting cast's movement overwhelmed the Huskies' backline during the critical 65-72 minute window.
UConn's inability to sustain pressure after Saunders' goal highlighted the difference between the teams. Despite cutting it to 2-1, the Huskies could not generate the offensive momentum needed to equalize. Georgetown's defensive organization prevented any sustained UConn attacks, and Maroutsis' goal effectively ended any realistic