Jessica Hnatiuk - Women's Soccer - Athlete of the Week

Hopkins women's soccer has been quite the spectacle this year. Between an exasperating offense, lockdown defense, and goalie performances that have resembled a stockade, the Blue Jays leave most of their opponents with little hope after the opening minutes.

That was, until the Blue Jays traveled up to Swarthmore, PA to take on their conference rivals, the Garnet. Hopkins had a 2-1 lead going into halftime, but with just nine minutes remaining, Swarthmore took advantage of a misplayed ball to tie the game at two.

With an undefeated season on the line and barely 100 seconds left on the clock, it was senior defender Jessica Hnatiuk who stepped up and drilled a header off of a corner kick into the top right net, securing the Blue Jays ninth consecutive victory.

The clutch performance was hardly surprising given the Baltimorean's track record of success. An alum of nearby John Carroll high, Hnatiuk has been one of Hopkins' key contributors since she moved down the road to Homewood.

As a sophomore, Hnatiuk started all 23 games for the black and blue and was honored with the Centennial Conference Player of the Year award. Last year as a junior, it was more of the same from Hnatiuk who started all 24 games at center back and helped lead the JHU defense that tallied 12 shutouts and surrendered just 17 goals all year.

This earned her NSCAA all-Mid-Atlantic Region second team honors and first team all-Centennial Conference honors.

And things have not changed in 2011. Almost halfway into her senior season, Hnatiuk is the head of a defense with six shutouts, and after this weekend, now has a game-winning goal to her name as well.

Her leadership has also helped the Blue Jays settle in at sixth in the most recent national rankings.

Hantiuk has certainly had a big hand in the Lady Jays impressive start, holding down the defense, but she is quick to mention the role her teammates have also played.

On offense, Erica Suter and Paulina Goodman have lead the Blue Jays, continuing to give opposing defenses headaches. Some younger players have also played a huge role in the team's success. Freshman Hannah Kronick and sophomores Pam Vranis, and Christina Convey have also played crucial roles earl in the fall.

Without the senior leadership of Hnatiuk and her classmates, however, the level of comfort and play of these underclassmen may not be where it is today.

"Being a senior on the team, I try to bring experience and leadership," Hnatiuk said. "I try to help the team win in every way possible."

This was evident in her goal this past weekend; refusing to take no for an answer, Hnatiuk came all the way up from defense to preserve the winning streak.

"So far things have been going very well," she said. "We have hit some road bumps, but the mark of a good team is one which can pull through even when adversity is staring them in the face."

Along with team chemistry, Hnatiuk believes a lot of the success comes from the team's constant work ethic.

"A lot of our success so far this season has come from our hard work since the beginning of preseason," the defender said. "We had a goal to make it to the National Championship and everyone is determined to give what it takes to get there.

"Also, we are a very close team off the field. We all get along very well which makes the chemistry great thus making the team closer as a whole."

Hnatiuk spoke highly of the team's morale right now, saying, "we are all pleased with how the season is going thus far, but we know that we still have a long road ahead."

After their romp of conference foe Franklin and Marshall on Wednesday night, Hopkins may just be heating up heading into their match-ups with Ursinis TCNJ next week.

"One of the things the team needs to work on to make it to the National Championship is take every game seriously. Coming out to every game with the same mental attitude is a complicated task, but we need to stay focused for our goal of a National Championship. If we stay focused, no team can stay with us."

With shutouts, goals on goals on goals, and numerous Centennial Conference player of the week awards already, this Blue Jay team has been able to do it all.

So be sure to cheer on your Lady Jays at the next home game against Dickinson on Oct. 19.