Sept. 23, 2009

Box Score

BALTIMORE, MD - Sophomore defender Sasha Reyes-Guerra's first career goal proved to be all the offense the 12th-ranked Johns Hopkins women's soccer team would need as the Blue Jays held off St. Mary's, 1-0, at Homewood Field Wednesday evening. The win is JHU's fourth straight - all of which have come by shutout - and improves Hopkins' record to 6-2. The Seahawks fell for the fourth straight time and slip to 2-5.

Hopkins controlled play from the outset and crafted a 13-3 advantage in shots through the first 45 minutes, but it would take nearly four minutes of the second half before they would beat St. Mary's goalie Grace Koplow.

Junior forward Erin Stafford collected a pass 35 yards from the goal and along the flank to Koplow's left. She pushed forward and crossed the ball back through the box from just above the endline. The cross floated over several players and found the foot of Reyes-Guerra, who one-timed a shot past Koplow into the top of the goal for what proved to be the game-winner.

The Blue Jays had a chance to increase their lead later in the second half, but a header by junior Sarah Gieszl was headed off the line by a defender. St. Mary's nearly tied the game at the final horn as a header by Jaci Auletto just missed the far post off a free kick from Sophia Esparza.

Senior Karen Guszkowski posted three saves and earned her fourth win of the season as she went the distance in goal. Koplow was solid at the other end as she posted 10 saves, including several of the difficult variety as the Blue Jays peppered her with 23 shots. JHU held a 23-8 advantage in shots and took five of the six corner kicks in the game.

Johns Hopkins returns to action on Saturday when the Blue Jays travel to Swarthmore for a match with the 20th-ranked Garnet.

- 30 -