Two wins, seven total goals on 56 shots and one game-winner in double-overtime highlighted the first weekend of NCAA action for the women’s soccer team.
The Lady Jays faced off against Brooklyn College in the first round of the tournament, scoring four goals before the 16th minute. They would tack on two more goals in the second half, decisively winning by a score of 6-0. Brooklyn was held to a grand total of one shot the entire game.
The following day the drama really began.
Facing York College in the next round, the Lady Jays found themselves tied 0-0 through 105 minutes before this week’s Athlete of the Week sent everyone home.
In the final five minutes of double-overtime, forward Hannah Kronick blew a game-winning shot past York’s goalkeeper, sending Hopkins into the Sweet 16.
Not only did Kronick’s goal advance the Jays into the next round, but it also made her the program’s all-time leading scorer in NCAA tournament games with 15 points off five career goals and assists. The junior forward would finish the weekend with two more goals and one assist. She was kind enough to answer a few questions for us.
The News-Letter: What was going through your head right before that first round game against Brooklyn?
Hannah Kronick: We were all definitely a little nervous before the Brooklyn game just because the NCAA tournament is win or go home. We were so excited, though, because the playoffs are what we have been working towards all year.
N-L: Tell me about the goal you scored in that game.
HK: The goal I scored against Brooklyn was a result of hard work by my teammates. A corner was sent in and [midfielder] Pam Vranis did a great job at getting up for the header, which was saved off the line by a Brooklyn defender and deflected right towards my chest. All I had to do was settle it off my check and hit a one-time volley past the keeper.
N-L: Can you tell me about a memorable moment from that game that particularly stands out to you?
HK: Our team played great against Brooklyn. What particularly stands out to me is how quickly we scored in the first half. We didn’t let them have any hope of winning, and that’s what we always set out to do. It was important for us to put the game out of reach early in the second half, and our goal scoring definitely did that.
N-L: In the next game against York you had a few shots on goal. Aside from the one that went in, were any of the others particularly memorable or heartbreaking?
HK: When I hit the crossbar in the last 10 minutes I really thought it was in, so that was pretty unfortunate!
N-L: Well, it turned out not to matter. Can you describe the game-winning goal for me?
HK: It was unreal. I didn’t expect it at all. It was a build up from my team. [Defender Kylie Fuller] got the ball on the wing, beat her defender and dribbled in. She then passed it to [forward Kelly Baker] who made an amazing slot to me. I got it at my feet, took a few touches to beat the defender and then hit it with my left foot past the keeper. It was an unreal experience. I couldn’t have been more proud to represent my team and secure our spot in the Sweet 16 at that moment.
N-L: With that goal, you are now the all-time leading scorer in NCAA tournament games. What do you think about that?
HK: It’s very cool for me. It was an important personal goal for me this season to perform well in games that count and mean the most, so I think that shows that for me.
N-L: What can we expect this weekend against Williams College in the Sweet 16?
HK: It will definitely be a good game because Williams is a good team, but we hope that our hard work will pay off, and we will get the result we want.
N-L: How far do you think you guys can advance?
HK: I think if we play the way we can, we have an opportunity to go as far as possible.
N-L: Thank you so much for your time. Good luck next week!
HK: Thanks! And no problem!
The Lady Jays will look to advance to the Elite Eight this weekend when they fly to Vermont to take on 17th seed Williams College. The 6th seeded Jays have been here before; this is their sixth straight Sweet 16. They have advanced to the Elite Eight in three out of the past five years. The Lady Jays will carry a streak of eight straight shutouts into this matchup as they hope to power through the tournament.
