Nov. 8, 2007

Complete Release in PDF Format

Back to the Dance: Hopkins is making its third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Centennial Conference Championship. The Blue Jays will travel to Richard Stockton to face Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday, November 10 at 3:30 p.m. The winner of that contest will face the winner of Richard Stockton/York College of Pennsylvania on Sunday, November 11 at 2 p.m. in second round action. This is Hopkins sixth appearnce in the NCAA Tournament and 11th appearance in the postseason (NCAA/ECAC).

You Again?: Hopkins' first round opponent is a team the Blue Jays are familiar with. Hopkins faced Virginia Wesleyan last year in the NCAA Tournament second round. The Marlins, who would advance all the way to the national semifinals, moved past the Blue Jays on penalty kicks after a scoreless double overtime time.

DeJa Vu: The Blue Jays will bring a nine-game unbeaten streak into Saturday's match up with Virginia Wesleyan. The last time the Blue Jays lost a game was October 1 in overtime to TCNJ. Hopkins found itself on a similar streak this time last year. Last season, the Blue Jays lost to TCNJ on October 2 and then went unbeaten the rest of the way, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Scouting the Up-Coming Games: The Blue Jays head to Richard Stockton for first round action of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Hopkins has faced its first round opponent Virginia Wesleyan (14-1-4), once last year in the NCAA Tournament Second Round. The two teams recorded a double-overtime 0-0 tie with the Marlins advancing on penalty kicks 5-3. The winner of that match will face the winner of the Richard Stockton (18-3-2) and York College of Pennsylvania (13-5-3) game on Sunday. Hopkins has never faced Richard Stockton before while the Blue Jays are 2-0 all-time against York.

Shutout Streaking: Sophomore goal keeper Karen Guszkowski and the Blue Jay defense have put up some impressive numbers this year. Guszkowski has posted seven individual shutouts this season and has shared apiece of three others. As a team, Hopkins has posted 12 shutouts on the season and is currently on a shutout streak of 545 minutes.

I'm Honored: Five Blue Jays earned All-Centennial honors when the league announced the teams last week. Earning a spot on the first team was senior Kim Lane, juniors Molly Steele and Chrissy McCurdy and freshman Jenn Paulucci. Sophomore Karen Guszkowski earned a spot on the honorable mention squad.

Can I assist you with that?: Senior Kim Lane has nine assists so far this season. Lane needs two more assists to tie the career assists (16) at Hopkins and the single-season record (11) at Hopkins.

I'm Honored (Part Two): Three Blue Jays earned ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District honors when the teams were announced. Senior Johanna Chapin was named to the first team for her work both on and off the field. Chapin has now advanced to the national ballot with a chance to be named an Academic All-American. Senior Cassandra Vogel and junior Chrissy McCurdy were named to the third team for their work both on and off the field.

Sideline Staple: The Blue Jays are 14-4-2 under head coach Leo Weil this season. Hopkins needs one more win to reach 15 wins on the season. If the Blue Jays get to 15 wins it would mark the eighth time Hopkins has recorded at least 15 wins under Weil. This is the 12th straight season of a .500 or better record for the women's soccer program under Weil. Weil and the Blue Jays became just the second women's soccer program in Centennial Conference history to record 100 Centennial Conference wins with their 8-0 win over Bryn Mawr. Gettysburg is the only other program to have reached the mark.

Leaving Their Mark: This year's senior class has left their mark on the Hopkins record book. Senior Kim Lane enters the NCAA Tournament with 26 goals and 14 assists for her career. Lane ranks tied for sixth in career points with 66. She is also tied for fifth in goals scored. Lane holds the school record for most points in a game with 10 and is closing in on tieing the career and single-season assists record. Kerry Hamilton ranks sixth with 64 career saves and has nine career shutouts. Cassandra Vogel and Johanna Chapin have been staples on a Blue Jay defense that has posted 41 shutouts in 85 games during this class' four years.