Spartans Look to Tame Hoyas

EAST LANSING, Mich. – On Sunday, the Spartans will take the pitch against a Georgetown University team who is looking to get back to the Men’s College Cup final, after losing to Indiana University in 2012.

“A really talented team (and) really well coached team. Obviously they are game proven and tournament proven,” redshirt junior Ryan Keener said. “Last year they made a great run, but we know what we are getting with them and I think we like our chances.”

The Hoyas are 14-4-2 entering Sunday’s Sweet Sixteen game. They have played against four teams in the Sweet Sixteen with wins against Stanford University, the University of New Mexico, the University of Marquette, and a season opening loss to the University of California, Berkeley.

The Hoya’s have given up only nine goals this season and have held teams scoreless for 14 of their 20 games this season.

“I am sure once we get there we will look over some video and just realize where their weaknesses are because every team has their weaknesses,” redshirt junior Tim Kreutz said.  “You just got to be able to find them and I think our coaching staff has done the research and they are going to show us what we need to attack, where we need to try and exploit them.”

The Spartan defense will also have their hands full as they try to contain sophomore forward, Brandon Allen, and senior forward/midfielder, Steve Neumann.

Allen leads the Hoyas with 11 goals and 27 points while Neumann is second with 10 goals and 26 points.

“Well they are good and they are different. Allen’s more of a target, kind of a (Adam) Montague type player, holds the ball well, maybe not involved all the time, but when he is involved he is dangerous,” head coach Damon Rensing said. “Neumann is always involved. He is underneath and scheming. But we have played some teams that maybe are not the exact same parts, but similar ones.”

The Spartans may be without Kenner after he re-injured his hamstring in last week’s NCAA tournament game against the University of Louisville.

“I would say that he is 50/50. He was 50/50 and played against Louisville so we will see. The question for him will be is it worth (it). He is certainly a huge part of our defense so if we can get him in we will,” Rensing said.

The Spartans and Hoyas will play at Georgetown University on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The winner of this game will play the winner of Wake Forest University and the University of Notre Dame in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament.

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The game on Sunday will be streamed live online at GUHoyas.com

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Brooks Laimbeer is a multimedia journalist for Corner Kick.

Photo: David Defever