Aug. 21, 2012

LANCASTER, PA - The Johns Hopkins women's soccer team has been unanimously selected to capture its eighth consecutive Centennial Conference crown according to the 2012 preseason coaches poll. Including postseason play, the Blue Jays have won 17 consecutive conference matches dating back to October 23, 2010.

Despite losing all-time Hopkins points leader Erica Suter to graduation, reigning NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year Leo Weil returns eight starters to a side that boasted a program-best 0.955 (21-1-0) winning percentage in 2011.

First Team All-Centennial Conference forward Hannah Kronick and second team selection Pamela Vranis are expected to lead the Blue Jay attack. Kronick scored 19 goals and added 10 assists as a freshman in 2011, while Vranis tallied a career-high 12 strikes.

Also returning for Hopkins are defenders Kylie Fuller and Taylor Schulte. The pair was part of a Blue Jay backline that earned 14 shutouts and allowed just 11 goals in 22 matches in 2011.

The Blue Jays are 55-4-1 in Centennial Conference play since 2006, having finished a perfect 10-0-0 in 2011. Hopkins collected a program-best 21 consecutive victories before being defeated by Amherst in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament.

Johns Hopkins is slated to open conference play against Washington College on September 15 at Homewood Field. The Jays have not lost a conference match at home since September 17, 2009.

2012 Centennial Conference Preseason Coaches Poll

2. Gettysburg (1), 87

3. Swarthmore, 74

4. Haverford, 73

5. Dickinson, 70

6. Franklin & Marshall, 56

7. Muhlenberg, 47

8. Ursinus, 40

9. McDaniel, 26

10. Washington College, 19

11. Bryn Mawr, 13

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