On March 22, 2025, the Richmond Spiders (6-3) narrowly defeated the Georgetown Hoyas (5-3) in a fast-paced and physical contest at Cooper Field in Washington, D.C. The Spiders came out on top with a 13-12 victory, led by an explosive performance from their attack unit, while Georgetown made a valiant comeback in the final quarter but fell short.
Key Performers
Richmond’s offense was powered by Jack Ricciardi and Lucas Littlejohn, both of whom contributed significantly with three goals each. Aidan O’Neil was the playmaker, notching four assists to go along with his two goals, while Max Merklinger and Joe Sheridan each added a pair of goals. The Spiders’ balanced attack and efficient offense helped them build a commanding lead early.
For Georgetown, Fulton Bayman led the way with four goals, including a late charge in the fourth quarter. Kevin Miller, another key contributor, added four goals and two assists, proving to be a consistent threat throughout the game. Ben Firlie also had a solid performance, registering two goals and an assist in the loss.
Game Breakdown
The game started fast, with Richmond getting on the board early. Joe Sheridan opened the scoring just 12:31 into the game, assisted by O’Neil. Less than a minute later, Evan O’Neil doubled the lead for the Spiders. Georgetown responded with a goal from Bayman, but Richmond quickly extended their lead through goals from Gavin Creo and Max Merklinger.
Richmond’s offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half, leading 8-4 at the break. Littlejohn was crucial during this stretch, recording two goals and two assists in the second quarter alone. The Spiders managed to shut down Georgetown’s offense, limiting them to just one goal in the second period.
However, Georgetown showed their resilience in the second half. They mounted a comeback in the third quarter, with Miller, Firlie, and Bayman scoring consecutive goals to narrow the gap. The Hoyas closed the third quarter down by just one goal, 12-11.
In the final frame, Georgetown continued to fight back. They scored three more goals, including a late strike from Aidan Carroll, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Richmond’s early lead. Despite a strong performance in the second half, the Hoyas couldn’t stop the Spiders’ offense, and Richmond held on for a 13-12 win.
Statistical Highlights
- Richmond outshot Georgetown 38-37, with 21 shots on goal compared to Georgetown’s 20.
- Ground balls were dominated by Richmond, who scooped up 41 compared to Georgetown’s 31.
- Both teams struggled at the faceoff X, but Richmond had a slight edge, winning 13 faceoffs to Georgetown’s 16.
- Richmond’s defense limited Georgetown’s extra-man opportunities to just two, with Georgetown converting only one of those chances.
Penalty and Turnover Impact
The game was a physical one, with both teams committing penalties. Richmond’s Henry Alpaugh was called for a 30-second pushing penalty in the first quarter, while Connor Kelly was assessed a slashing penalty late in the fourth. Despite the penalties, Richmond’s penalty kill was solid, denying Georgetown any additional goals with the extra-man advantage.
Turnovers also played a pivotal role, with Georgetown committing 17 turnovers compared to Richmond’s 12. Richmond’s ability to clear the ball effectively was key, as they successfully cleared 17 of 20 attempts, while Georgetown struggled with just 16 of 17 successful clears.
Conclusion
Richmond’s early lead and balanced offensive effort were too much for Georgetown to overcome in a thrilling game. The Hoyas’ late rally fell short, and despite a solid second-half performance, they couldn’t seal the deal. The win for Richmond strengthens their record to 6-3, while Georgetown drops to 5-3. Both teams will look to build on this contest as they head into the heart of their season, with Richmond looking to maintain momentum and Georgetown aiming for a bounce-back performance in their upcoming games.
