Georgetown Holds Off Loyola, 13-6, in Season Opener at Cooper Field

Georgetown Holds Off Loyola, 13-6, in Season Opener at Cooper Field

In what marked the earliest regular season game in Georgetown lacrosse history, the Hoyas erased an early deficit and powered past Loyola University Maryland, 13-6, in their season opener at Cooper Field.

Loyola came out firing, quickly jumping to a 4-1 lead thanks to an aggressive first quarter that included a pair of goals from Matthew Minicus, capped by a man-up tally with 2:52 remaining in the period. The Greyhounds looked poised to control the game, but Georgetown, ranked 11th in the preseason poll, settled in and started to turn the tide.

After Loyola’s initial barrage, the Hoyas tightened their defense and cleaned up their offensive play. Georgetown would go on a 6-0 run spanning the second and third quarters, fueled by an explosive surge from Kevin Miller, Joe Cesare, and Aidan Carroll. By halftime, the Hoyas had reclaimed the lead at 5-4, and they weren’t about to let it slip.

The second half began with a bang as Cesare and Fulton Bayman extended the Georgetown lead to 7-4 in the first 2:12. But Loyola wasn’t done. The Greyhounds answered with back-to-back goals from Henry Haberman and Luke Murphy, cutting the Hoyas’ advantage to a slim 7-6 with 5:47 left in the third.

Just when it seemed like Loyola might have found a foothold, Georgetown slammed the door. The Hoyas reeled off three straight goals to end the third quarter, including a devastating rip from Cesare that tore through the top corner of the net—a goal that seemed to put a dagger in Loyola's hopes.

Georgetown, with its defense smothering Loyola in the final frame, added three more goals in the fourth to close out the 13-6 victory. Miller and Cesare each finished with three goals, while Corgan and Firlie chipped in with one apiece.

For Loyola, Minicus led the charge with two goals and two assists, while Haberman added two goals and an assist. Max Watkinson was solid in goal for the Greyhounds, stopping 12 shots, but Loyola’s offense couldn’t overcome a Georgetown team that tightened up after a shaky first quarter.

Georgetown’s victory was not only a statement for the 2025 season but also a crucial bounce-back after last year’s season-opening 18-10 loss to Loyola in Baltimore. The win also marked the Hoyas’ 10th all-time victory over the Greyhounds, with Georgetown now winning three of the last four matchups.

With the season-opening win, the Hoyas looked every bit the title contender they’ve been pegged as, and they’ll look to carry this momentum into the season as they prepare for another challenge ahead.

For Loyola, the road ahead won’t get any easier. The Greyhounds will return to action on Saturday, February 8, in their home opener against the fifth-ranked University of Maryland at Ridley Athletic Complex.

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