WASHINGTON, D.C. - Denver (6-6) secured a crucial 2-1 road victory over Georgetown (6-3-3) on Tuesday evening at Shaw Field, with Luke Schultz's 89th minute winner deciding a tightly contested match before a crowd of 1,247.
The scoring opened in the 18th minute when Zach Zengue put Georgetown ahead, but Denver's Trevor Wright equalized just moments later in the 19th minute off an assist from Luke Schultz. The match appeared headed for a draw until Schultz delivered the decisive blow in the 90th minute, finding the top right corner to seal the victory for the Pioneers.
The first half saw Georgetown control much of the possession, with Zengue particularly active in attack. The Hoyas generated eight shot attempts in the opening period, including three on target. Denver's defensive unit, anchored by Jake Smith and Grand Lund, weathered early pressure before Wright's equalizer shifted momentum. Georgetown's Julian Barrios Cristales and Mateo Ponce Ocampo both saw shots blocked in a dominant opening 30 minutes for the hosts.
The second half's complexion changed dramatically in the 75th minute when Georgetown's Max Viera received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge. Denver capitalized on the man advantage, with Keegan Kelly and Kyle McGowan controlling the midfield. The Pioneers pressed forward relentlessly in the final fifteen minutes, culminating in Schultz's match-winner. Georgetown's Oliver Stafford and Jordi Sada-Paz both received yellow cards as frustrations mounted late.
Final statistics reflected Georgetown's early dominance despite the result, as the Hoyas outshot Denver 14-5 overall. Georgetown earned five corner kicks to Denver's three, while both teams recorded three shots on target. The match saw six cards issued, including three yellows to Denver (Lund, Smith, Kelly) and two yellows plus Viera's red for Georgetown.
Trevor Wright proved instrumental for Denver with his equalizing goal and consistent threatening runs. Georgetown's Zengue showed his quality with the opening goal and four total shots. In goal, Will King made two crucial saves for Denver before being substituted at halftime, while Georgetown's keeper was tested three times throughout the match.
Denver's tactical adjustment after Viera's dismissal proved decisive, as head coach Bobby Muuss shifted to a more aggressive 4-3-2 formation that eventually unlocked Georgetown's depleted defense. The Hoyas attempted to maintain their possession-based approach even with ten men, but spaces eventually opened for Denver to exploit.
The victory extends Denver's road form improvement, moving them to .500 on the season at 6-6. For Georgetown, the defeat marks their first home loss of the campaign and drops them to 6-3-3 overall, ending a four-match unbeaten streak.
Both teams return to action on October 11, with Denver hosting Delaware in a non-conference clash while Georgetown welcomes UConn for a crucial Big East matchup. The Pioneers will look to build on this momentum, while the Hoyas must regroup quickly to maintain their position near the top of the conference standings.