A quick turnaround from an emotional loss at Vanderbilt University was no problem for the women's lacrosse team. The Lady Jays returned home and after three day's rest defeated the UMBC Retrievers by a score of 15-9 on Wednesday.
The victory was followed up by a spectacular Saturday afternoon performance that brought down the No. 5 ranked Virginia Cavaliers 12-9.
After a loss to UVA in the first round of postseason play in 2005, the girls were finally able to exact their revenge on the Cavaliers.
To add to the hype, the Jays were a mere 2-5 against nationally ranked teams this season and the Virginia win will supply the much-needed momentum that has eluded the team for the entirety of their 2007 season.
"The UVA win has definitely gotten everyone pumped up," red-shirt senior attack Sarah Walsh said.
"UVA is a very good team all around and we came into the game very prepared. Our coaches did a great job of breaking down the [Cavaliers] and their weaknesses."
Virginia also didn't help their own cause, allowing Hopkins to exploit their 13 turnovers. In what seem to start as a back-and-forth affair, the Lady Jays would ultimately go on to take an 8-4 lead at halftime.
Scoring in the first half was Walsh and junior midfielders Kadie Stamper and Lauren Schwarzmann each contributing two goals apiece. Senior attack Mary Key scored the last Blue Jay goal of the period, conquering the net for the 50th time this season. In the process, Key extended her point streak to 63 consecutive games -- the longest active streak in Division I lacrosse history.
From that point on, Virginia was only able to pull to within two goals. A four-goal barrage from the Jays in the middle of the second period was enough for the beleaguered Hopkins defense to work with, holding Virginia to just nine shots in the half.
The Hopkins defenders didn't need to work as hard on Wednesday against UMBC, as the Retriever defense was no match for the Blue Jays.
Seven different players contributed towards the 15 goals. Despite shooting under .360 in the game, the women fired off an astounding 42 shots, enough to make up for the 12 saves by the UMBC goalies and another dozen missed shots.
Twenty minutes into the first period, UMBC managed to tie it at 4-4. For the remainder of the game, however, the Retrievers miserably trailed the Jays, who whipped up seven uninterrupted goals that stretched 15 minutes into the next period.
Hopkins continued to score in packs, tacking on a five-goal flurry initiated by Key and capped off by sophomore midfielder Gina Maranto. The goal is Maranto's second of the season, as she rebounds from a season-ending injury in 2006.
Up by nine with five minutes left on the clock, the Lady Jays could breathe a collective sigh of relief with a comfortable lead over the Retrievers.
After navigating a rough patch of games in March and early April, the Jays seem to finally have things under control. The UMBC and Virginia victories are just what the Blue Jays need before facing the defending Division-I champion Northwestern this Friday.
"Northwestern is another huge game for us. Even bigger than Virginia," freshman attack Sam Schrum said.
"One thing I feel good about is my team never gives up and plays with a lot of heart and spunk. I love that," head coach Janine Tucker said.
With their record currently standing at 6-1 at Homewood field this season, the girls hope to continue chalking up victories. The squad is one win shy of assuring themselves their 21st consecutive winning season.
"After this week of preparation, I think Friday night is going to be a dog fight," said Walsh.
Make sure to tune in and watch the "dog fight" this Friday at 6:00 p.m. as Hopkins takes on the Wildcats at Northwestern.
