Field Hockey team wins sixth straight

The Johns Hopkins Field Hockey team proved that they are contenders this past week. They extended their past week's two game streak to an astonishing six game winning streak to improve their overall record to 9-8. More importantly, their Centennial Conference record is now a strong 6-3.

The first game of the past week came against Western Maryland College, a game that had been postponed previously due to weather. The Blue Jays came out powerfully and snatched a 2-0 shutout win. Senior Camille Fesche scored both goals in the first half one of an assist by Ashley Rollins

Friday night Eastern Mennonite came to Homewood field to face the Blue Jays, and rushed out to a 1-0 lead despite great play and a lead in shot advantage by Hopkins. The second half changed things around as the Blue Jays mentality shifted to offense and scored a tying goal at the beginning of the half and took the lead with another goal by Ashlee Duncan.

The Blue Jays defense played extraordinarily thereafter and maintained the lead to win the game 2-1.

Hopkins hosted another game the next night versus Muhlenberg, who happen to be in the Centennial Conference. Kelly Hewitt fired a fifteen yarder straight into the goal and that remained the only goal of the night.

The Jays continued their strong defensive mindset as they won the game 1-0, and marked their win streak at five.

This past Tuesday became the stage for the most important regular season game for the Field Hockey team as they played Gettysburg. The game was played on Homewood field, and was of utmost necessity as it was a Conference game.

Hopkin's record was at 5-3 in the conference, putting them in contention. But they had not clinched a spot in the weekends playoff tournament. If they were to win here against Gettysburg, they could do just that.

The tone and tension of the game set, it remained this way as neither teamed scored in the first half.

Possession went back and forth, and the shot comparison was very close. At the close of the half both teams seemed winded, but still undeterred.

Motivated the Jays came out with action, they seemed to control the game more and strung together many more drives that all ended with a stop by Gettysburg.

Failing to score, there was a sense of desperation as the clock continued to tick away.

Hopkins needed to put together one more drive and keep the ball at the Gettysburg goal, and this is what happened.

Hewitt scored a goal to take a 1-0 lead with only 54 seconds left. Hewitt comments about the goal, "It was just in front of the cage. There was just one minute left, and I was praying that it would go in. There was nothing in my head, except for the ball going into the goal."

Gettysburg took a timeout, and afterwards hoped to score but with the clock continuing to wind down Hopkins controlled the ball and sealed their place in the postseason.

Fesche comments, "It was a very emotional game, especially for the seniors. This could have been our last game but we pulled together."

The last game of the regular season could not have ended any other way, as it mimicked the season itself. The Blue Jays did start slow this year, but when it counted they did what was necessary and now have a chance to continue their success.

"The win means so much to us," said Hewitt, "We were in a hole in the beginning of the season, we had to win, for the seniors it was a must win, and we are very excited."

The Blue Jays will have their chance to shine, the Centennial Conference tournament begins this weekend.