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Johns Hopkins is Headed to the Sweet 16 After Shootout with Salisbury
Nov. 15, 2009
SALISBURY, MD - The Johns Hopkins men's soccer team battled host Salisbury to a scoreless draw through 110 minutes in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday and prevailed 5-3 in a shootout to advance to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year. The Blue Jays are now 16-3-3 on the year while the Sea Gulls end their season at 15-3-2. Both teams had numerous scoring chances throughout regulation and in overtime, but a combined 12 saves between the Hopkins and Salisbury goalies forced the game to be decided in a penalty kick shootout. It is the third time in Hopkins last four NCAA Tournament games that the advancing team would be decided in a shootout. Senior Max Venker (Oldsmar, FL/Palm Harbor University) went first and nailed his shot, Alex Hargrove answered for Salisbury with a shot to the right. Sophomore co-captain Corey Adams (Cedar Grove, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) put Hopkins up 2-1 in the shootout, connecting on attempt. Pat Callahan hit one inside the left post as Salisbury tied it up at 2-2. Salisbury goalie Joshua Scotton got a hand on freshman Nick White's (San Diego, CA/Patrick Henry) shot, but the ball had enough on it to carry into the net to give the Blue Jays a 3-2 advantage. Kyle Sterling drilled his shot to the right to knot it at 3-3. Junior co-captain Kevin Hueber (High Bridge, NJ/Voorhees) put Hopkins on top again with his shot. Benjamin Reed then stepped up for Salisbury and sent his shot right up the middle and over the cross bar. Heading into the fifth round, junior Tony Gass (Durham, NH/Oyster River) needed to make his shot to send Hopkins to the Sweet 16. And he did, nailing his shot and sending the Blue Jays spilling onto the field.
Senior Ravi Gill (Morganville, NJ/Marlboro) finished with six saves to post his 12th shutout of the year and 13th of his career. His 13 career shutouts tie him for fifth in school history. Scotton also finished with six saves for the Sea Gulls. For the second straight year, Hopkins advances to the Sweet 16 by way of the shootout. JHU prevailed in a shootout, 4-3, last season at second-ranked York. The Blue Jays are now 4-1 in penalty kick shootouts in the NCAA Tournament, with their only loss coming last season to eventual NCAA runner-up Stevens Tech, 2-1, in the Sweet 16. It was the second meeting this season between Hopkins and Salisbury. The Blue Jays upset the previously unbeaten Sea Gulls on the road on September 23, 1-0, in the regular season. It was the third meeting between the two programs in the NCAA Tournament and first since 2004. JHU is now 1-1-1 against Salisbury in the NCAAs. Hopkins will play in the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year, third in the last four years and eighth time overall. JHU will take on top-ranked Messiah in the Sweet 16. Match details will be announced on Monday. Stay tuned to HopkinsSports.com for Hopkins' Sweet 16 plans. |
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