On Saturday evening, the Hopkins men’s lacrosse team faced off against Penn State University at Homewood Field. Hopkins led early, but Penn State came back strong in the second half, eventually sending the game to not one, but two overtimes.
As the second overtime was coming to a close, it looked as though neither team was going to get any more points on the board. As the clock ticked down from 10 seconds, senior Wells Stanwick swung the ball to freshman teammate Joel Tinney who gave one last effort to win the game, sending the ball past Penn State’s goalie to the back of the net with seven seconds remaining in second-overtime.
Tinney’s game-winning goal paired with his overall performance throughout the game earned him the title of Athlete of the Week for The News-Letter.
Tinney was kind enough to answer a few questions for The News-Letter.
The News-Letter: What was going through your mind right before you scored the game-winning goal compared to what was going through you mind right after you scored and the game was over?
Joel Tinney: Before the shot I was just trying to stay out of Wells’s way. He is our senior leader on offense, and we knew he could make the play. He ended up making the play, drawing another defender and dumping it to me, and I was able to get the shot off and get it past the goalkeeper. Afterwards, I didn’t see it go in right away because there was a defender in the way, but I heard the crowd and then saw my teammates running onto the field. It was a great feeling to get a win in a game that suspenseful.
N-L: Who has been your biggest influence on the team so far your freshman year?
JT: My biggest influence has to be the seniors on my team. They come ready to work everyday and keep the team motivated to work hard everyday. Guys like Wells Stanwick and Tom Gordon really keep the locker room light when things aren’t going our way and help us refocus for the next game or practice. The teammate that has pushed me the hardest has got to be Mike Pellegrino. He’s a captain that is vocal and makes everyone around him work harder than they thought they could. He has helped me with my work ethic on and off the field throughout this year.
N-L: As a freshman, what do you feel is your role on the team?
JT: I wasn’t really sure what my role was going to be when I got here. I was just hoping to contribute in any way possible. With the help of the coaching staff and upperclassman, I have been able to contribute during games thus far.
N-L: What are your personal goals as you move toward the second half of the season?
JT: As far as personal goals go for the remainder of the season, I just want to keep helping my team any way I can and hopefully help put us in a position to win the game, as well as continue to improve the weak areas of my game.
N-L: What do you hope to accomplish throughout the rest of your time playing lacrosse for Hopkins?
JT: The main goal, from a lacrosse standpoint, is to compete for a national championship at some point. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to come here, and I think, with our players and coaching staff, we have the ability to accomplish that.
N-L: How has playing lacrosse for Hopkins impacted your overall college life?
JT: Playing lacrosse at Hopkins so far has been great. It’s helped me stay busy throughout the week and has introduced me to some great friends that I will remain tight with well after college life is over.
Tinney and the rest of the Jays return to action on Saturday, April 18 at Homewood Field, playing against the University of Michigan.
