The Hopkins women’s soccer team improved their conference record with a 1-0 win against Dickinson College last Wednesday. Junior Kelly Baker scored the only goal in the game for the Blue Jays on a rebound from a shot by freshman Issy Berkey.
Baker’s goal marked her fifth goal in as many games, which ranks as the fourth-longest scoring streak in school history. Additionally, senior goalkeeper Meredith MaGuire notched seven saves in her fourth shutout of the season.
On Saturday, the Jays returned to action with a 4-0 win over Bryn Mawr. The Blue Jays were paced by two goals from sophomore Sydney Teng. Junior Amanda Yaccarino commented on the team’s consistently strong performance, “Although Bryn Mawr is not the strongest team in the conference game, we kept our level of play elevated for the full 90 minutes.”
The team’s offense was sparked in the 15th minute of the contest as sophomore Hannah Kronick tapped in her 19th goal of the season. Just seven minutes later, the Jays built on their lead off of a 15-yard goal scored by Teng. Junior Kelly Baker was credited with the assist, marking her sixth consecutive game with at least one point.
Yaccarino noted the team’s ability to score quickly after each goal as a key to success. “Scoring quickly after each goal shows our team’s ability to keep up the pressure, which is extremely important after every goal, not just after the first,” she said. Hopkins added to their lead in the 28th minute when sophomore Maria Touloumes scored, assisted by Teng, after a brilliant cross from Kronick. Teng scored the final goal of the game in the 48th minute of the contest, just after the halftime break as she ripped a shot that beat Bryn Mawr’s goalie, Rebecca Joseph. “Every player on the field was aggressive, intense and passionate, which resulted in four goals in the back of the net,” Yaccarino said.
Maguire made two saves for the Hopkins defense, a unit that has accumulated seven shutouts this season. Freshman keeper Sarah Benett also contributed with one save for the Jays.
With the win, the Blue Jays clinched a spot in the Centennial Conference tournament. As they near the postseason, Hopkins looks to defend their championship reign by winning their eighth straight Conference Championship. The Blue Jays control their own destiny as they fight for a number one seed going into the playoffs. With two games remaining, the team sits tied with rival Gettysburg College for the lead in the conference, as both teams enjoy a 7-1 conference record.
The Gettysburg showdown will be the last regular season match of the year. The team certainly knows the importance of the Gettysburg game, as Yaccarino said, “Gettysburg will be our toughest opponent in the conference and beating them will show everyone that we have what it takes to be successful in the NCAA tournament.”
Late Wednesday night, Women’s Soccer won against McDaniel 5-0. Full coverage can be seen in next week’s issue.
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