Fall 2002 Hopkins varsity sports preview

Cross Country

The Men's and Women's Cross Country teams completed the 2001 season by finishing sixth and seventh, respectively, in the Centennial Conference Tournament. The team is returning many strong runners after what was considered a rebuilding year.

The teams opened the season at the Salisbury Invitational last weekend with both teams earning admirable finishes. The women's team earned a sixth place finish at the meet out of a field of 16 teams. The men's team finished in ninth place out of 16 teams.

Field Hockey

After a slow start last season, the Johns Hopkins Field Hockey team rebounded with a late season winning streak that vaulted the team to the Centennial Conference finals. After a disappointing 10-9 season, the team is expected to return to national prominence. A pre-season coaches poll placed Hopkins atop the Centennial Conference.

The Blue Jays began the season with a bang, defeating Scranton 4-1. Junior Jenny Farrelly scored two goals to lead the team. Their next game is an away game against Haverford on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Football

The 2001 season proved to be successful for the Blue Jays team that ended the 2000 season at an even 5-5. The 2001 team finished the year with a 6-3 record, 4-2 in Centennial Conference play, and a victory over No. 9 ranked Western Maryland, the highest ranked team Hopkins has ever defeated. In a preseason coaches poll, the team earned a rank of No. 3 behind McDaniel and Muhlenberg.

The team opens their season on Saturday, Sept. 14, against Washington & Lee. Last season, the Jays annhilated the Generals 34-3.

Men's Soccer

Coming off of a 17-3 season, the Men's Soccer team hopes to continue their winning ways despite the losses of leading scorers Matt Doran, Aerik Williams and first team All-American Ryan Kitzen to graduation. The team finished the season with a 9-0 record in the Centennial Conference but suffered a heartbreaking loss to Gettysburg during the Centennial Conference Tournament. The team recovered from their loss and proceeded to win the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Regional championship.

In the team's first game of the season the Jays defeated Manhattanville College 5-0 in the Dr. Al Tucci JHU Kickoff Championship at Homewood field. Senior midfielder Daniel Brienza, sophomore midfielder Chris Brown, junior forward Chad Tarabolous, senior midfielder Adam Hack and freshman Steve Reed all scored a goal a piece to lead the team to victory.

Women's Soccer

After winning the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Regional championships the past two years, the Women's soccer team looks forward to a challenging new year after losing a large part of their team, including their two leading scorers. The team's defensive core, that managed to set a school record of nine straight shutouts, remains largely intact.

In their opening contest against nearby Goucher College, the Lady Jays earned an impressive 6-0 victory. The team was led by junior Jessica Sapienza's two goals and three assists by senior Jill Minger. The team's next match-up is an away game Sunday, Sept. 8 against New York University.

Volleyball

Last season, the volleyball team, consisting mainly of freshmen managed to earn a 16-15 record. This year an older and more experienced team is expecting to earn a record well above .500.

The team opened the season by earning a fourth place finish at the Franlin & Marshall Tournament with a 1-2 record.

Water Polo

Always among the strongest teams at Hopkins, the water polo team was ranked as high as No. 2 in Division III polls last season. They also finished in eighth place at the Collegiate Water Polo Association Eastern Division Championships.