The Hopkins field hockey team played host to Swarthmore in a Centennial Conference match-up this past Sunday. The Blue Jays coasted past the Garnet 4-1, and improved their conference record to 2-1, with an overall 5-4 record. The Garnet fell to 1-3 in the Centennial Conference and 6-5 overall. The Lady Jays’ strong performance in the Centennial Conference thus far has set the team up nicely going forward with the conference schedule.
The Blue Jays wasted no time scoring the opening goal, taking only 52 seconds. Senior Liane Tellier scored from five yards out with the help of fellow classmate Meghan Kellett.
Just seven minutes later, the Blue Jays struck again. This time was no different as Tellier and Kellett once again linked up to provide the second goal of the match. The score would remain the same for the next 35 minutes as the Blue Jays played solid defense to fight off any threats of attack from the Garnet.
Later, the Blue Jays would take the offensive once again. This time, Alexa Lantiere scored the goal for Hopkins from three yards out, with Kellett providing her second assist of the afternoon. Overall, Kellett’s three assists was a career-high. The Blue Jays continued to attack the Garnet and managed to score another goal at 63:31. It was once again Lantiere who scored, with assistance from Maggie Phillips. The Blue Jays extended their lead to four goals, and found themselves in the driver’s seat to the end of the match.
However, the Garnet would not be shut out. With just two and a half minutes left to play, they put a goal past Elizabeth Peijnenburg, eliminating the shutout. At this point, the game was over and Peijnenburg’s stellar performance enabled the squad’s victory.
Peijnenburg’s efforts were reflected on the stat sheet, as she posted a career-high in saves, with eleven total, nine of which came from the first half. Her performance, coupled with a strong defense and an aggressive offensive attack, ultimately led the Blue Jays to a decisive victory over the Garnet.
During the season, the senior from Eindhoven, Netherlands has been a steady presence at the backline of the defense. Throughout all ten games, Peijnenburg started 2.14 goals against average.
This was a great win for the Blue Jays, and certainly a motivating force for the rest of the season. In the previous games the Blue Jays were having trouble towards the final minutes.
Junior Storm Kodde added, “We found ourselves in somewhat of a slump when it came to finishing, but this time we succeeded.” The Blue Jays will look to tap into some of the momentum created by the big win. “This momentum and hunger to put the ball away in the back of the cage,” Kodde added, “is what we need to bring to these next two games.”
The Blue Jays will travel to Lancaster on Wed. to take on ninth-ranked Franklin and Marshall in a tough match-up.
