Hopkins beats GW

Revenge is sweet.?

Though many historians might dispute this suggestion, it sure tasted good to the Johns Hopkins Water Polo team.

Four days after suffering a disappointing loss to George Washington at the ECAC Championships, Hopkins took advantage of a huge first half to jump out to an insurmountable lead, cruising to an easy victory over the Colonels. The Jays convincingly beat them, 15-10.

Hopkins (7-9) was led by junior driver Brian Mead's four goals and senior goalie Craig Smith's 13 field saves in this lopsided victory. However, what jumpstarted the offense was two quick goals in the first quarter by senior utility Geoff McCann.

"After he scored the first two goals, the whole team responded to his intensity level," said head coach TedBresnahan.?

These goals opened the offensive flood gates, as five more Blue Jays would score before the half.

Mead scored three goals, junior driver Mac Sanford found the back of the net twice and sophomore driver Billy Irvine, junior driver James Singleton and senior driver Parker Emmott each added a tally of their own.?With the offense finding its groove and the standout goalkeeping by Smith, the Jays went into halftime with an impressive 11-1 advantage, a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game.

Though the Colonels made a run in the third quarter by outscoring Hopkins 5-2, it was too little, too late.?Mead, McCann, Singleton, and freshman driver David Strickland, each added goals to preserve the win.

George Washington scored three meaningless goals in the fourth quarter to bring the score to its final tally of 15-10.

"The difference between the two games against George Washington was our energy and attitude going into the game. We were really upset with the loss, and that fueled the fire for the rematch. We came out and played Smash-mouth polo," said Smith of their rematch with the Colonels.?

Even Bresnahan acknowledged that the level of intensity was the key difference.

This newfound intensity in part stemmed from the fact that the Blue Jays had not lost to George Washington in the last five years and that "we should not have lost [to them] at ECACs," according to Bresnahan.

Hopkins will try to keep up their intensity through the weekend, said Smith.

"Right now we are focused on this weekend's California tournament," said Hopkins' senior netminder. "We plan to come home 4-0, a goal that is very possible if we play all out.?We can't let up at all.?We are going out there to make a statement."

This weekend, the Hopkins will travel out west for the first time in the school's history to compete in the Claremont Convergence in Southern California.?There, they will face several powerful water polo programs, including CMS (Claremont-Mudd-Scripts) and Brigham Young University (Hawaii).

However, Hopkins is by no means outmatched, and is currently ranked fourth in the Men's Division III National Collegiate Top 10 Poll.?

"The team has been looking forward to this since last year. They are beginning to peak and should fare well," said Bresnahan.