CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - Mitchell Baker needed just 26 minutes to write the story of Georgetown's convincing 3-0 victory over DePaul, slotting home the opening goal before assisting on the third and orchestrating a dominant performance that left the Blue Demons reeling before 842 fans at Wintrust Arena.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became a one-way contest, with Georgetown dictating the pace and DePaul struggling to mount any meaningful resistance. The Hoyas' control was evident in their shot attempts, outshooting DePaul 13-6 overall and holding a 5-1 advantage in shots on target, with four of those attempts forcing saves from DePaul goalkeeper Alex Rodriguez.
In the first half, Georgetown's attacking prowess was on full display as they created multiple scoring opportunities. Matthew Van Horn doubled the lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a Zach Zengue assist to give Georgetown a 2-0 advantage heading into the break. DePaul managed only one shot on target through 45 minutes, a statistic that encapsulates their offensive struggles.
The second half saw Georgetown continue their dominance, with Mateo Ponce Ocampo scoring his first goal of the season in the 64th minute, assisted by Baker's precise through ball. The Blue Demons' inability to capitalize on their limited chances was stark, managing just one shot on target across 90 minutes - a damning statistic that highlights their scoring woes.
As the game wore on, Georgetown's confidence grew, and they began to control possession more effectively. The Hoyas' midfield maestro, Denzel Morgan, orchestrated the team's attack with intelligent distribution, constantly finding teammates in space and dictating Georgetown's possession-based approach. DePaul, on the other hand, struggled to establish any rhythm, failing to capitalize on their five corner kicks.
The statistical ledger reveals a stark contrast between the two teams' performances. Georgetown outshot DePaul 13-6 overall and held a commanding 5-1 advantage in shots on target. The Hoyas also edged the corner-kick battle 7-5, though neither team capitalized on their set-piece opportunities. DePaul's defensive struggles were evident, as they were unable to contain Georgetown's attacking threat.
The victory represents more than three points for Georgetown; it cements their position as conference frontrunners with an 8-3-3 record, including a perfect 4-0-1 mark in conference play. Their winning streak now stands at two games, and they look to continue their momentum against Villanova next time out. For DePaul, the loss extends their losing streak to two games, leaving them with a 2-6-6 overall record and a 0-4-1 mark in conference play. They'll look to regroup against Marquette in their next outing.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for these two teams. Georgetown will look to build on their momentum, while DePaul will need to regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities. The afternoon belonged to Georgetown - and specifically to Mitchell Baker, whose performance will be a benchmark for the Hoyas as they continue their conference campaign.
Key Players:
Mitchell Baker (Georgetown) – The Hoyas' attacking threat scored the opening goal and assisted on the third, orchestrating a dominant performance that left DePaul reeling.
Matthew Van Horn (Georgetown) – Doubled Georgetown's lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a Zach Zengue assist to give the Hoyas a 2-0 advantage.
Denzel Morgan (Georgetown) – Controlled the midfield battle with intelligent positioning and distribution, constantly finding teammates in space and dictating Georgetown's possession-based approach.
Alex Rodriguez (DePaul) – Made two crucial saves to deny Georgetown's attackers, though ultimately unable to prevent the shutout loss.