While much of Hopkins' attention this fall has rested on Blue Jay football and Lady Jay soccer, and rightfully so for their stellar undefeated regular seasons, the men's soccer team has quietly put together a noteworthy season of their own. And it may just be beginning.
Friday's matchup versus Washington College was the team's final regular season game. It was also their final chance to claim the top seed in the Centennial Conference tournament coming up next weekend. Because Hopkins had only lost to Dickinson in the Centennial competition, either a win or a tie would have given the Blue Jays a home-field advantage in their chase for the conference crown.
Prior to the game, seniors Corey Adams, Drew Holland, Sean Coleman, Tony Gass and Sean Duggan were honored for their contributions to the Hopkins soccer program. The ceremony set the tone for the game as the seniors were major contributors in the team's victory.
In the eighth minute, Hopkins was awarded a corner kick, setting up the team's first goal. Coleman, a forward, launched the ball into play and after some confusion, freshman midfielder Rob Hueler banged home his second goal of the season to put the Blue Jays up 1-0 early.
Following the quick strike, Shoreman goaltender Chriss Phipps played perhaps his best game of the season, as he turned aside six more shots and 11
total over the entire game. However, the aggressive Hopkins attack would not be stymied.
Opportunity struck again for the home team in the 67th minute. This time, it was Blue Jay midfielder Duggan making his mark with a feed to freshman forward Matt Carey.
Carey finished the play with a chip shot over Phipps to essentially shut the door on Washington's hopes of a comeback.
Matching the offensive output of the forwards was the work of the defense, led by freshman goalie Nick Cerrone's eighth shutout of the year.
By game's end, Hopkins had earned the 2-0 win to finish the regular season 10-4-3 and clinch home-field advantage in the Centennial Conference tournament, their first time since 2006.
It will take the team's best efforts to win the conference championship again. Under Head coach Craig Appleby, who joined the program in 2008, the team has won the conference tournament once in 2009.
With a Centennial victory, Hopkins would earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament which will conclude in San Antonio, TX.
The team has gone as far as the Sweet Sixteen in the past three years only to watch their season end just shy of the national title game.
However, this season, the team hopes the combination of senior leadership and freshmen youth will propel them farther than they have ever gone. The senior class knows the opportunity for them to win a national championship comes down to the next few weeks.
Although Hopkins is not nationally ranked in the top 25 nationally, chances are good that they still make the 56 team tournament with a loss in the Centennial Conference tournament.
With home-field advantage, be sure to check out the Hopkins soccer team this Saturday as the Jays look to regain the Centennial crown and take another step towards the national tournament.
