The Johns Hopkins women's soccer team struggled in its opener against a perennial powehouse, The College of New Jersey, losing by a score of 3-0 in Ewing, N.J. this past Wednesday.
The Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half against the Lady Jays and never looked back, adding another goal in the second frame while amassing a 12-3 advantage in shots on goal during the contest.
With much of last year's ECAC playoff team still intact, the 2004 Lady Jays will be vying for an eighth consecutive playoff appearance despite the early-season setback at TCNJ. Both of last season's leading scorers -- junior forward Meg McIntosh and sophomore forward Laurie Baumann -- figure to be major offensive weapons once again this year.
TCNJ figures to be a major player in this year's D-III women's soccer picture once again, having been ranked fourth in the preseason National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll. The Lions advanced deep into the '03 playoffs, losing to eventual champion Oneonta, 2-1.
The Lady Jays will return to action against Mount Union at home on Friday, when Hopkins will host the annual JHU Invitational. The Jays will also take on Rochester on Sunday afternoon in the second installment of the Invitational.
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