The Hopkins men's soccer team improved to 12-2 overall and 6-0 in the Centennial Conference after an amazing week in which they shut out both of their opponents.
The Blue Jays started last Wednesday by defeating Alvernia College 11-0, and finished strong against conference rival Haverford, winning 5-0.
Junior striker Chad Tarabolous had a memorable match against Alvernia, recording a school record 11 points on five goals and an assist. His five goals also set a Hopkins record. Tarabolous leads the Centennial Conference with 17 goals and 37 points this season.
The game against the Alvernia Crusaders last Wednesday night proved an easy win for the Blue Jays.
"We were just able to work on our game, passing the ball. We converted on any opportunity we had," said sophomore midfielder Chris Brown. "That's basically our game -- exploit the other team's weaknesses."
Hopkins opened the scoring in the 22nd minute on a counter-attack. After sophomore goalkeeper Gary Kane, Jr. gathered a loose ball in his area, he quickly put the ball to defender Rob Morrison on the right sideline.
Morrison carried the ball briefly, then found Tarabolous cutting through the Crusader defense. Tarabolous settled the pass and ripped a shot past a defenseless keeper from 20 yards out.
It took only a few more minutes for the game to get out of control as senior Daniel Brienza scored in the 28th minute, assisted by freshman Steve Read. Senior Adam Hack added a 30 yard rocket in the 33rd minute to increase the Blue Jay lead. Hack's goal was unassisted, as he found himself wide open with the ball within striking distance of the goal and took his shot.
Tarabolous added another fast break goal in the 36th minute, again assisted by Morrison.
By halftime, the match belonged to Hopkins. Not only had they outscored the Crusaders 4-0, but the Blue Jays had out shot them 20-0.
The assault on the Alvernia net continued in the second half. Hopkins scores came from freshmen Adam Simon in the 48th and 33rd minutes, and Steve Read, assisted by Tarabolous in the 60th.
Tarabolous would go on to score the next two Blue Jay goals. In the 86th minute, freshman Traver Davis scored on a diving header off a cross from freshman midfielder Jim Miervaldis.
Seconds later, Tarabolous ended the scoring with another unassisted goal.
The final tally was 11-0. The Blue Jays managed to out shoot the Crusaders 37-1.
The match was dominated by the quick Hopkins midfield, which won every battle for the ball, picked apart a slow Crusader defense and converted on numerous chances.
"The players are really playing well. We're just trying to put together quality win after quality win. I think the team is getting better and closer to what we all expect," commented Coach Matt Smith, pleased with the team's winning ways.
Hopkins looked to carry the momentum from that five-game winning streak into a visiting match against the Haverford Fords on Saturday.
Freshman scoring sensation Steve Read scored in the 25th minute, converting on a pass from fellow freshman Ben Schwartz.
The Blue Jays had trouble converting on their other opportunities in the first half, making it a closer game than some had expected.
However, in the second half, Hack, Brienza, and freshman Matt LeBoeuf all scored within 15 minutes. Later, in the 84th minute, Tarabolous scored unassisted, ending the goal scoring.
The win marked the Blue Jays 26th straight conference victory.
Tarabolous' performance over the course of the week earned him the honor of being named Centennial Conference Player of the Week. It was the second such award for Tarabolous this season -- he was also player of the week of Sept. 9.
Tarabolous and the rest of the Blue Jays will return to action this Saturday at Homewood Field, playing host to Dickinson College at 7 p.m.
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