The men's soccer team opened its 2014 campaign with a successful trip to a tournament in Maryville, Tenn., tying Randolph 1-1 in its season opener on Saturday and defeating Maryville 3-0 the next day.
Expectations for this soccer season are high for this Blue Jays team, according to one player.
“We definitely want to win the Centennial Conference championship and make a deep run into the NCAA tournament," junior midfielder Ian Heinrich said. "However, we realize that the only way to do that is to take each game one at a time.”
After a long offseason and a two-hour lightning delay, the Blue Jays finally began their season against Randolph. The players were itching to get back in action, and the lightning delay was agonizing for a team that was excited to play its first competition in almost 300 days.
Randolph got the scoring going in the 21st minute with a free kick from freshman defender Blake Heatherly. The Wildcats earned a free kick, and Heatherly managed to find the net from long range off of a deflection.
Soon after, the Blue Jays responded with a goal of their own in the 33rd minute. The Wildcats fouled a Blue Jay in the Randolph box, and Hopkins was awarded a penalty kick. Heinrich scored on the kick to even the score. The Jays kept up a relentless attack for the rest of the half, but Randolph junior goalie CJ Stevens saved two shots to send the game to halftime still knotted up.
Right out of the gates of the second half, the referees were forced to delay the game due to lightning. The teams were forced to scramble off the field and wait more than an hour to resume play. After another spurt of gameplay, the weather once again took a turn for the worse, and the game was called at the 82nd minute. Soccer games are considered official after 70 minutes of gameplay, so the Blue Jays were forced to settle for a tie.
Hopkins and Randolph both got nine shots off in the contest. Both goalies made six saves, but Hopkins took six corners to Randolph’s five. It was somewhat disappointing for the Blue Jays to be prevented by the weather at a chance to get a shot to start the season with the win, but a tie with a squad that went 17-2-1 last season is nonetheless impressive.
The Blue Jays played another game in Tennessee the next day, this time against host Maryville. Hopkins came away with a 3-0 victory Sunday afternoon to improve to 1-0-1, while Maryville dropped its season opener.
Senior midfielder Kotaro Mitsuashi buoyed the Jays with a two-goal performance, while sophomore midfielder Samy Ramadane also put one in the net on Sunday for his first goal of the season. Mitsuashi netted his first goal of the day and the season in the 17th minute on a pass from Heinrich.
The score held that way into the second half for 47 minutes until Mitsuashi solidified the Hopkins lead on an unassisted goal in the 64th minute. Ramanade knocked home a booming shot in the 80th minute to seal the deal for the Jays and push the lead to three.
Sophomore goalie Matt Paris shut out the Maryville Scots, making three big saves for the Jays. His Maryville counterpart Jon Taylor grabbed eight saves in a losing effort, while Hopkins outshot its opponent 15-9.
Perhaps the new turf on Homewood Field installed this offseason will play a part in a successful Blue Jay season. Heinrich believes that the new turf is “thicker, which makes your touch and passing more true."
"I think it’s definitely an improvement," Heinrich said.
The Jays will also benefit from outstanding leadership and returning experience on this year’s squad. Junior All-Centennial Conference first team selection defender Andrew Park is back, as are second-teamers Rob Heuler and Kenny DeStefano. Some excellent upperclassmen will lead this team, including Mitsuashi and Heinrich, both of whom shone this weekend.
“This year on the field I want to not only be more of a contributor in terms of goals and assists but also be one of the hardest-working players,” Heinrich said.
Men’s soccer will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 6 in Reading, Pa. for the Alvernia Tournament against host Alvernia at 1 p.m.
