Hopkins M. and W. soccer teams end historic seasons

By: Chip Harsh

Posted: 12/4/08

The final week of November marked the end of both the men's and women's soccer seasons. Both teams lost in the sweet 16 rounds of their national NCAA tournaments but had great success overall in the fall season.

The women had what may be the greatest season in Hopkins history. The team won their fourth straight Centennial Conference Championship after going undefeated in the regular season.

The team hosted the first two rounds of the playoffs. Hopkins prevailed twice and advanced to the third round. For the second round the women played Virginia Wesleyan, the team that had knocked them out of the tournament the past two years, but this time the Jays won 1-0.

The women travelled to upstate New York for their sweet 16 match against William Smith College. In bleak weather and freezing temperatures, Hopkins lost 3-1. Their final game would be the only loss of the whole season, the squad finished 18-1-4, the mere loss coming in that final game.

The men also built on their past successes to advance to the third round of the playoffs as well. After defeating Ithaca and York on the road, the men's team travelled to Hoboken, N.J. for their match against Stevens Institute of Technology. Regulation and two overtimes were not enough time to decide a victor, and the game ended in a shootout 2-1. Hopkins was eliminated in the third round of the tournament, capping off a 13-5-5 season.

For the women, the 2008 season is a continuation of what may be a dynasty. Decisively, Hopkins garnered home field advantage for the Centennial Conference Tournament, won their conference for a fourth straight year, hosted the NCAA first two rounds and lost only one game all season. Head Coach Leo Weil has proven that his program is one of the best in the country and his players are extremely talented. The conference recognized Weil as Coach of the Year and five of his players received Conference honors.

The Hopkins men's soccer program is proving to be a perennial nationally-ranked competitor. Coach Craig Appleby took the reins of this solid and already successful team and improved on the previous season. The team spent a good portion of the season nationally and regionally ranked while playing a competitive difficult schedule. The team had six players honorably recognized by the Conference.

"This was definitely our most talented team ever, and our deepest team," Weil said. Erica Suter, a freshman forward, had a statistically impressive season with 12 goals and three assists. Jenn Pauluci was unanimously selected as an all-conference player. Senior Molly Steele also had four goals and five assists to earn all conference honors. Defensemen Sarah Gieszl and goalie Karen Guskzkowski also earned all conference honors.

Coach Appleby led his boys to many victories but couldn't help to hide his discontent for the final loss of the season. "I'm competitive," Appleby said. "I'm not really satisfied. I want to win a national championship." Hopkins had a very talented team led by senior Matt Carlson, the Conference Player of the Year. Scott Bukoski had another fantastic season, scoring 23 points with nine goals and also garnering first team all conference awards. Forward Nick Gauna, with four goals, and freshman defender Corey Adams also made the Centennial Conference second team. Finally, sophomore forward David Drake and junior goalie Matt Mierly were honorably mentioned by the Conference.

Going undefeated was a huge triumph for the Lady Jays and Weil pointed out pivotal victories on opponents' turf. The seniors have brought this team four conference titles and Weil understands that the experience gained by the underclassmen this year is priceless.

The men's season was turbulent at times. The team lost a tough game to York mid-season. After that loss the team had the confidence that they could play against any team in the country and expected to see York again in the playoffs. Soon after, Hopkins played a high-ranked Swarthmore. The win against the Garnet brought the team a great deal of momentum that would carry to the end of the season, until nagging injuries forced Hopkins to fight for the Conference title on Swarthmore's turf, a game which the Jays would lose. "Beating Gettysburg, the first round of playoffs, restored our confidence," Appleby said.

Both coaches are optimistic about the future of their respective programs. When asked about the future of the program, Weil said, "We're going to enjoy this one for another couple weeks," but then the recruiting will begin again. Weil expects next season's team to be "as good, if not better than this year's." Weil even plans to have a tougher schedule next year.

Appleby looks forward to another successful season, "We're not losing quantity, only a couple impact guys - important pieces - but we still have what it takes," he said. Appleby firmly spoke of the future, "We will have the potential to win a national championship."

Hopkins soccer fans have much to look forward to for the 2009 season. Two teams will return with high expectations led by talented players and solid coaches.