Spring Break
W. soccer advances to Elite Eight with twin wins
Issue date: 11/20/08
This past weekend, the undefeated number seven women's soccer team beat down both of its opponents in rounds one and two of the NCAA Tournament. With back-to-back 1-0 victories over Meredith and Virginia-Wesleyan at Homewood Field, the Lady Blue Jays earned their first ever appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. On Saturday against Meredith College of North Carolina, the Jays and the Avenging Angels played to a scoreless tie in the first half. In the second half, however, junior Caitlin Moore crossed the ball in front of the goal and freshman sensation Erica Suter knocked the ball past Meredith goalie Sarah Chadwick for the 78th minute score. That goal was all that Hopkins would need, as junior goalkeeper Karen Guszkowski posted her 12th shutout game of the season with two saves, keeping the final score at 1-0.
Suter's goal, her 12th of the season, moved her into a tie for fifth-place all time on the Hopkins single season list. The win on Saturday meant the dream season stayed alive. On Sunday, the team faced off against Virginia-Wesleyan in the second round of the tournament, a team that Hopkins had a 0-2 all time record against. Even deeper, those losses had come in last year's NCAA tournament and the previous year's tournament. This game meant pay-back for Hopkins.
The Jays played more aggressively this time, almost doubling the shots that Virginia-Wesleyan took (13-7). The main difference was Guszkowski's playing, who had another shutout game in goal. At the 35th minute, Junior Caitlin Moore dribbled the ball onto the 20 yard-line and drilled a shot into the top left corner of the goal.
"It was a very sweet victory, no matter who it had been against, but it was especially sweet after the last two years," Head Coach Leo Weil said. According to Coach Weil, two important factors that allowed the team to be so successful this weekend were playing at home and the depth of their team. But what was the key factor this weekend?
"The goal scorers, obviously. We've struggled a bit to finish the last two weekends. Our goalkeeper and defense are always strong and keep us in every game," Coach Weil said.
Suter's goal, her 12th of the season, moved her into a tie for fifth-place all time on the Hopkins single season list. The win on Saturday meant the dream season stayed alive. On Sunday, the team faced off against Virginia-Wesleyan in the second round of the tournament, a team that Hopkins had a 0-2 all time record against. Even deeper, those losses had come in last year's NCAA tournament and the previous year's tournament. This game meant pay-back for Hopkins.
The Jays played more aggressively this time, almost doubling the shots that Virginia-Wesleyan took (13-7). The main difference was Guszkowski's playing, who had another shutout game in goal. At the 35th minute, Junior Caitlin Moore dribbled the ball onto the 20 yard-line and drilled a shot into the top left corner of the goal.
"It was a very sweet victory, no matter who it had been against, but it was especially sweet after the last two years," Head Coach Leo Weil said. According to Coach Weil, two important factors that allowed the team to be so successful this weekend were playing at home and the depth of their team. But what was the key factor this weekend?
"The goal scorers, obviously. We've struggled a bit to finish the last two weekends. Our goalkeeper and defense are always strong and keep us in every game," Coach Weil said.
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