WASHINGTON, D.C. — #7 Georgetown survived a second-half surge from #10 High Point to secure a 2-1 victory Saturday evening in front of 1,311 fans at Shaw Field. The Hoyas, riding a four-game winning streak, controlled much of the match but needed to weather intense pressure from the visiting Panthers, who nearly forced extra time before falling short in the NCAA Division I Championship.
Mitchell Baker opened the scoring for Georgetown in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a setup from Mateo Ponce Ocampo and Zach Zengue to give the hosts an early advantage. The goal came during a stretch where Georgetown was generating consistent attacking chances, with Matthew Helfrich and Max Viera testing High Point's defense throughout the opening half. High Point, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm offensively, managing limited opportunities as Georgetown's defense largely controlled the tempo.
The first half remained tightly contested despite Georgetown's early lead. High Point made three substitutions at the 32-minute mark, attempting to inject fresh energy into their attack. Georgetown responded with their own adjustments before halftime, bringing on fresh legs to maintain their advantage heading into the break. The Hoyas' defensive shape held firm, with goalkeeper making four saves to preserve their one-goal cushion.
Georgetown extended their lead early in the second half when Zach Zengue found the back of the net in the 60th minute, assisted by Eric Howard. The goal appeared to have settled the match, giving the Hoyas a commanding two-goal advantage. High Point's task suddenly became significantly more difficult, requiring multiple goals to salvage the match.
High Point, however, refused to fade quietly. Jefferson Amaya pulled one back in the 88th minute with a crucial goal that reignited the Panthers' hopes and set up a frantic final stretch. The visitors pressed aggressively in search of an equalizer, generating corner kicks and testing Georgetown's resolve in the closing minutes. Despite High Point's desperation, Georgetown's defense held firm through the final whistle.
The statistical battle reflected Georgetown's slight edge in control. The Hoyas recorded 13 shot attempts compared to High Point's 11, while Georgetown's six shots on goal exceeded High Point's four. Georgetown also earned six corner kicks to High Point's four. High Point's goalkeeper made three saves, while Georgetown's keeper recorded four stops in a match that remained competitive throughout.
Zengue's two-goal involvement highlighted Georgetown's attacking depth, while Amaya's late strike showcased High Point's offensive capabilities despite the loss. The match featured five yellow cards total—three for High Point and two for Georgetown—reflecting the physical nature of NCAA tournament soccer at this level.
The victory keeps Georgetown's championship run alive, extending their recent dominance after wins over #3 UConn and UCF. High Point's loss ends their tournament run, capping a strong season for the 14-2-4 Panthers. Georgetown advances to face the winner of UNC Greensboro versus #15 NC State in the next round.