M. Soccer blanks two in a row

The Hopkins men’s soccer enters the 2013 season with something to prove. The Blue Jays were picked to finish fourth in the Centennial Conference this year, unfamiliar territory for the eight-time Centennial Conference champions. Regardless, last year’s 8-8-2 squad holds high expectations for the year. Even with the preseason ranking, head coach Craig Appleby is confident in his team.

“I am not sure we feel like an underdog,” Appleby said. “But we certainly feel that we have something to prove. I think it’s really hard to evaluate that from the outside, so if people think we are the fourth best team in the league, then it’s up to us to go out and prove we’re better than that. The history here at Hopkins has been to win championships, and we want to bring another Centennial Championship back to Hopkins.”

Last year the team was young, with freshmen combining for 55 starts. This year, those returners should help strengthen the talented Blue Jays.

“In previous years, we’ve had classes that we needed to come in and contribute right away,” Appleby said. “That’s not the case this year. It’s a smaller class and they’re certainly right in the mix. It gives us a lot of depth at every position.”

The team has had a lot more success scoring goals so far this season. “We’re a lot more experienced this year,” Appleby said. “Our spring was excellent, the guys really came together and it’s showing on the field. We’re moving the ball quickly and creating a lot of chances. We’ll see how well that comes together, but right now we’re all pretty enthused by what we see.”

The Blue Jays return a strong midfield, anchored by junior Rob Heuler. The team leader in assists from 2012 also earned First Team All-Centennial Conference honors last season.

2012’s young defense was heavily tested last year, but, luckily, this season the team will have a better idea of what to expect.

“The defense has been tested by the fire,” Appleby said. “So now they’re ready, and I think it shows in our preseason and our scrimmage that they’re gelling pretty well.”

In goal, the Blue Jays have junior Nick Cerrone, a two time All-Centennial Conference honoree. With his wealth of experience, the Blue Jays will also look to Cerrone to help mentor freshman goaltender Matthew Paris.

Amid all the preseason talk, the actual games finally got started in late Aug. The Blue Jays began the year with a 2-2 double overtime tie against SUNY Geneseo. The following day the team remained in Madison, NJ to take on Drew University, losing 3-1.

This past weekend, the Blue Jays hosted their first game on Homewood Field, defeating New Jersey City University. In the match, senior Birin Padam knotted the team’s lone goal to put the Jays up 1-0. Cerrone would hold that lead with six impressive saves to secure the team’s first win of the season.

Padam’s score came off an assist from the foot of junior Mark Spencer. Spencer played a ball down the right touchline, and Padam ran onto the ball before firing a shot past Geneseo goalie Ruben Morales.

Next up, the Blue Jays squared off against the Rosemont College Ravens. Four different players contributed goals in the second half to give Hopkins the 4-0 victory. Freshman Victor Osio got the Blue Jays on the scoreboard first, nailing a strike in the 74th minute for his first career goal.

Over the next 14 minutes, the Blue Jays peppered the back of the net. Senior Danny Reategui followed Osio with a penalty kick three minutes later. Just over two minutes later, sophomore forward Eric Buck channeled his inner David Beckham, drilling home a free kick from 26 yards out. Sophomore Josh Hong concluded the onslaught with a goal in the 90th minute off of an unselfish pass from junior Matt Carey.

Cerrone made four saves to secure consecutive shutouts. His impressive performance also earned him the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week Award.

With the victory, the Blue Jays improved to 2-1-0. Hopkins will look to take their impressive scoring attack to Saturday’s game against the Scranton Royals. The non-conference matchup is scheduled for 4:30 at Homewood Field.