Homewood Field - 7:02 p.m., the ref blows the whistle, starting a long anticipated game between two nationally ranked teams in their first meeting since 2002. On one side the Blue Jays, ranked fifteenth in the NCAA Division III National Poll, face off against the second ranked Messiah Falcons. 23 shots, one yellow card, two sudden death overtimes and 110 minutes of sweat and pain later, the time is 9:19 p.m. The score remains 0-0.
The Jays knew that this game would be their biggest challenge this season. So how does a team that is already off to an undefeated season prepare to take on a team like Messiah's? According to head coach Leo Weil, who is in his 17th season coaching Hopkins soccer, "We tried not to do anything different than what we had been." A good strategy, considering the Jays have shut out every team they have faced this season 4-0.
Messiah started with the ball, but Hopkins struck first. An early penalty set up a shot for senior defender Jane O'Connor, which went high over the center of the goal. Messiah answered back with two shots of its own. Both teams appeared evenly matched, spending equal time attacking their opponent's goal and defending their own side of the field. The Falcons had a consistently aggressive attack from the wings, but Hopkins's solid defense was able to send it back up-field each time. Though the Falcons continued to pressure the Jays's defense, junior goalkeeper Karen Guszkowski says that the girls stayed strong against wave after wave of attack by "just staying composed and communicating. We just trusted each other and got the job done."
After more missed goals including a nice save by senior defender Jenn Paulucci, who blocked an incoming Messiah shot in the box to keep the score tied, it was half-time.
With some adjustments to help slow the Falcon's attack from the sides, Hopkins began the second half with the ball. Messiah's Erin Hench broke through Hopkins's defense and sent a shot to the goal that rebounded off the top of the post. Messiah continued to rack up penalties, maintaining the high level of intensity established in the first half that had many players falling left and right. However, though the Jays were able to keep the ball on the Falcon's side for a majority of the half, they did not have any shots on goal. With 10 minutes to go, the ball got away from Guszkowski, but a Messiah penalty cleared it away. The aggressive play continued and after tripping Hopkins's sophomore Allie Zazzali, Falcon's midfielder Joanna Haqq was yellow-carded, which brought the game to the end of regulation.
After two 10-minute sudden death overtime rounds and a close shot from Messiah, the tie was confirmed. Hopkins, which just a week previously had been ranked 20th in the polls, had tied the second ranked Messiah Falcons.
"It feels really good," captain Natalie Held said. "At the same time we were close. But it was satisfying that we got so close."
Much of the Jays' success can be contributed to goalkeeper Guszkowski, who has yet to allow a goal this season. When asked about her so far stellar season, she said, "It feels amazing, but it's all thanks to my entire team, especially the defense."
So what is up next for the Jays? "We should go up. We haven't given up any goals. I think we should move up to at least tenth," Coach Weil said. When the NSCAA rankings came out this week, Hopkins came in at number nine. "I don't think we are going to play too many teams as good as Messiah," Weil said.
With arguably their hardest game already behind them, the Jays are looking ahead to the end of the season, including a possible Final Four appearance.
According to Guszkowski, "We have an amazing team this year. Our potential is limitless. It just depends on us keeping it together and whether we beat ourselves or not."
The next home game for the Jays is Saturday against Washington College at 1 p.m. Come cheer on the Blue Jays as they start their conference schedule.
