Nov. 5, 2007
BALTIMORE, MD - The Johns Hopkins men's soccer team will make its 11th appearance in the NCAA Tournament this weekend as the host of a four-team regional. Hopkins (17-3-0) will face off against DeSales (10-9-2) on Saturday at 5:00 pm at Homewood Field. N.C. Wesleyan (16-1-0) will then meet Franklin & Marshall (15-3-0) in the second game, slated for 7:30 pm.
Hopkins earned an automatic bid to the tournament after winning its second consecutive Centennial Conference title on Sunday. The Blue Jays are 10-10-3 all-time in 10 previous NCAA appearances, including a 2-0-0 record at Homewood Field. Last season, Hopkins advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to eventual national champion Messiah. This will be the first meeting between Hopkins and DeSales in the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Jays and the Bulldogs have met just twice previously, including a 2-0 Hopkins win on September 9 at Homewood.
DeSales also earned an automatic bid after winning its third consecutive Freedom Conference title. Last season, DeSales lost 2-0 to Messiah in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. N.C. Wesleyan earned an at-large bid out of the USA South Conference. The Bishops suffered their first loss of the season in the USA South Conference semifinals last Friday to Greensboro College. In 2006, N.C. Wesleyan advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling 1-0 to York. Franklin & Marshall also received an at-large bid out of the Centennial Conference. The Diplomats lost in the first round in 2006 to Arcadia, 3-2 in overtime.
Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and students of the participating schools (with ID) and $2 for children age 3-12. Children under two years old will be admitted free. Gates will open at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and 5:00 pm on Sunday. Live stats will be available through HopkinsSports.com.
