Field hockey promotes cancer awareness

Hopkins field hockey earned a 2-0 victory against Swarthmore College in their second annual “Defeat DIPG Yellow Game” last Friday. The Blue Jays came onto the field sporting yellow socks, the color for childhood cancer awareness, to support the Michael Mosier Defeat DIPG Foundation, which raises awareness for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma.

Senior midfielder Abby Grant explained the importance of the game to the Jays and the family of Mosier.

“The DIPG game is in honor of a former JHU field hockey player’s late son,” Grant said. “Her son was diagnosed with DIPG, and because there is no cure for the cancer, he passed away at a tragically young age. Jenny has devoted her life to raising awareness and funding research for this cancer.”

The Blue Jays won their fifth straight game against Swarthmore and curtailed their three-game losing streak. The win pushed the Blue Jays above a .500 for the season thus far.

Freshman defender Hope Sullivan described tactics used in practice leading up to the contest.

“We executed our game plan to the best of our ability,” Sullivan said. “We demonstrated discipline and relentlessness by putting two goals in the back of the net, despite some questionable officiating. We’re looking forward to using this win as momentum in our upcoming Conference games.”

Senior forward Bridget Hampton scored first for the Jays in the 29th minute. Senior forward Victoria Piscopo dribbled towards the Swarthmore goal, hitting a back-hand shot from the top of the circle. Although Swarthmore’s goalkeeper Zelda Bank saved Piscopo’s shot, Hampton grabbed the rebound and drove the ball into the goal.

The Jays doubled their score in the second half thanks to junior forward Clare Kavanagh, who got a hand on the loose ball and slipped a shot between bank and the left post with 10 minutes left to play.

Both Blue Jay goalkeepers outperformed Swarthmore’s offense. Senior goalkeeper Zoey Atabek started the game and finished the first half with one save. Junior goalkeeper Greta Helvie took over in the second half and totaled five saves.

Friday’s game pushed the Jays’ all-time record against Swarthmore to an impressive 18-7, and also marked their first shutout since October of last year.

Senior midfielder Alex Clay commented on the victory against the tough foe.

“We had a tough loss to York last week, but we were able to come out of that game as a stronger team,” Clay said. “We went into Friday’s game with a positive attitude and came out with a win. It’s our halfway point in the season, so it’s exciting that we have kept up the intensity and we are going to keep it up moving forward into our three-game week.”

The Blue Jays have a positive outlook on the remainder of their season, especially when reflecting on their improvement from the previous year.

“Something we have talked a lot about this year is the difference between a winning team and a championship team,” Kavanagh said. “On the field, the difference is executing every skill with intention. Every pass, every block tackle, every 50-yard sprint has to be done with the passion and intent to be a championship team. I can say with certainty that this team has come out with more heart and skill than any team I have been on thus far.”