After an undefeated season, on Nov. 6 the second-ranked Blue Jays Women’s Soccer team captured the 2022 Centennial Conference Tournament Title after beating the Dickinson College Red Devils 4-0. This title is the 13th in school history and the Blue Jays’ 19th Conference championship game.
After a mostly one-sided play for the majority of the first half, with the Blue Jays outshooting the Red Devils 18-0, Hopkins scored first 40 minutes into the game, with a goal from graduate student Kendall Dandridge. Graduate student Rebecca Rosen would score next in the 64th minute, assisted by Dandridge.
This was followed not long after by sophomore forward Katie Sullivan’s team season-high 33rd and 34th points, assisted by freshman midfielder Megha Salvi. Dandridge would connect with Rosen again off a corner kick as Rosen made the game's last goal in the 78th minute. The Blue Jays controlled the 4-0 game, with 30 shots compared the Red Devils’ two.
In an interview with The News-Letter, Dandridge spoke on her goal that helped the Blue Jays kick off the Blue Jays’ shutout.
“It gave us a burst of energy and unleashed the momentum that we had been building the entire first half,“ she said. “We were creating so many goal-scoring opportunities as a result of our relentless attack and so I knew that we would soon put one away.”
Dandridge also praised the team’s strong efforts and the team’s mentality that led them to a successful regular season.
“Although I scored the goal, all of my teammates were working so hard, which is what created this opportunity... We are a team that is not satisfied with one goal and does not get complacent on defense when we are winning,“ she said. “One of our goals this season is to uphold our defensive standard throughout the entire game with a shutout mentality. We have not wavered from this focus the entire season which definitely contributed to the shutout on Sunday.”
Dandridge, who had a game-high four points with one goal and two assists, was named tournament MVP. She reflected on her accolade and spoke on expectations as the team continues in the postseason.
“I am ecstatic to be named tournament MVP! I was not expecting it as I was just so excited for the team, so this was a really nice surprise. I think that same mindset applies to the team as a whole we do not expect or assume our success without hard work and persistence behind it,“ she said. “We are aware that every team will be going into the NCAA tournament ready to compete, so we recognize that we need to continue to elevate our standard so we can carry this momentum into the tournament.”
The Blue Jays earned an automatic bid to their 17th consecutive and 20th overall appearance at the NCAA tournament and will travel to Hartford, Conn. to take on the Lesley University Lynx in the first round.
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