A week and a half into the season, the Hopkins field hockey team has already hit the ground running, winning three of their first four games in impressive fashion. Looking to improve from last year’s season record of 10-8, the team has already shown skill, determination, and a “never give up” attitude, leading to key victories. Hopkins bested Centre College 4-3 in overtime, Eastern Mennonite University 8-2 and most recently, Washington and Lee University 3-0.
Hopkins currently holds a 3-1 record and shows no signs of slowing. In their game against Centre, the Blue Jays were led by sophomore forward Alexa Lantiere and junior midfielder Storm Kodde, each of whom scored two goals and had numerous shots on net. Kodde tied the game in dramatic fashion with only eight seconds remaining in regulation, and a game winner from Lantiere capped off the game. It was a tremendous way to start off the season.
However, every team has to undergo some obstacles throughout the season. The team experienced their first bit of adversity in their second game of the season against Rhodes College, suffering a hard 2-1 overtime loss. Junior Sarah Henderson scored the lone goal off of a nice assist from freshman Shannon Parker, and Hopkins held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the game until Rhodes knotted it up and then scored just four minutes and seven seconds into the overtime period.
While most teams would be devastated by such a close loss, the team got right back on track when it faced Eastern Mennonite at Homewood Field. The players stormed out to a commanding lead in the first half with goals from seniors Maggie Phillips and Meghan Kellett.
Eastern Mennonite responded with a goal later in the half before Kellett scored again on a pass from Lantiere. At the end of the first half, Hopkins led only 3-2, despite dominating possession and shots on goal. However, that changed when the Blue Jays erupted for five quick strikes in the second half to turn what had been a close game into a blowout. senior Liane Tellier, junior Allison Thompson, and freshman Miceile Barrett scored goals and benefitted from an own-goal by an Eastern Mennonite defender.
The victory got the Jays right back on track heading into their next game against Washington and Lee. After making the trip down to Lexington, Va, the girls were determined to continue their recent successes with another solid performance. They did just that by shutting down the Generals for two straight halves, leading to a 3-0 shutout for the Blue Jays.
Phillips scored early, and then Kodde contributed two goals late in the contest to add some insurance to what was a very well-played game. Senior goalie Elizabeth Peijnenburg recorded the first shutout of the season with two saves, and the team outshot Washington and Lee 31-8, controlling the game throughout.
With a quick start to their season and an impressive set of recent victories, the field hockey team goes into their next game on Friday, September 14 against Washington College, determined and ready to continue their recent surge. The game against Washington will be the start of play in the Centennial League.
The Blue Jays will face difficult opponents in Swarthmore College and Haverford College, who remain unbeaten entering Centennial League competition. However, after being tested in four straight games and coming away with three hard fought victories, the team enters the season ready to face any challenges that come its way.
