A new era began today in GW women’s soccer as the Colonials took the field under first-year head coach Tanya Vogel. But, like last season under Michele Rodriguez-Smith, the Colonials failed to score in their opener as they lost a heated 1-0 contest to cross-town rival Georgetown University at Harbin Field.

Despite the disappointing loss, the Colonials had good reason to be optimistic as they showed marked improvement over last year’s team, which finished 3-15-1 and scored only 16 goals all season.

We don’t view this as a setback at all, we view this as an opportunity to learn, Vogel said.

The Colonials showed their lack of experience as they came out in disarray offensively. GW did put forth a strong defensive effort that kept the game close throughout. But GW’s defense wasn’t able to stop the shot on goal that won the game for the Hoyas.

The shot came with 1:37 left in the first half when Georgetown forward Karin Ostrander took a corner kick from teammate Maureen McCartney and sent it into the top-left corner of the net. The goal tarnished an otherwise flawless game by freshman goalie Christine O’Malley.

O’Malley, who made nine saves, showed a willingness to sacrifice her body as she repeatedly dove into heavy traffic to stop shots. Georgetown goalkeeper Emily Main made seven saves, most of which came during several GW attacks that started midway through the second half.

The GW offense showed signs of promise with 20 minutes remaining in the contest. The Colonials managed to back Georgetown into its own corner but couldn’t deliver the tying goal. The Colonials, who were limited to only two shots in the first half, managed ten in the second half.

. Those last 15 to 20 minutes were amazing, Vogel said. Georgetown was scared to death. We always talk about getting better in every training session that we have and the same thing applies to a game. If you look at minute number one versus minute number ninety, GW soccer got a ton better. We’ve gone up and taken a major step today.

Neither team missed an opportunity to show their merit through diving, sliding and pushing repeatedly as the teams combined for 25 fouls, 16 for GW and nine for the Hoyas. Georgetown managed 10 corner kicks to GW’s five and the Hoyas out-shot the Colonials 14-12.

Although stung by the loss, Colonial spirits are high as they begin to prepare for their 2 p.m. match at Princeton University Saturday.

They need to begin to believe in themselves, and they’re on their way, Vogel said.