After a tough loss against the University of Pennsylvania Quakers two weekends ago, the Hopkins women’s lacrosse team bounced back last week with a dramatic overtime win against the Georgetown University Hoyas and a resounding victory against the Furman University Paladins. The wins bring the Jays to an impressive 5-1 record to open the season.
In the Wednesday night battle at Homewood Field, Georgetown jumped to an early 2-0 lead less than three minutes into play. It was not until the 26:21 mark that the Blue Jays would get on the board when junior midfielder Shannon Fitzgerald found freshman attack Maggie Schneidereith, who scored the Jays’ first goal of the game.
Georgetown attack Taylor Gebhardt scored her second goal of the game, converting on a free position attempt at the 24:59 mark, but the Blue Jays were quick to answer. Just under a minute later, Fitzgerald would again assist the play, finding freshman midfielder Lexi Souder, who made it a 3-2 game.
Although the Hoyas would regain their two-goal lead at the 19:05 mark, their lead would not last long. Back-to-back goals by senior attacker Alexis Maffucci over the next nine minutes would tie the game at four with 10:47 left in the half. The Hoyas would capitalize on another free position attempt, but it was the Blue Jays who would go into the locker room with the momentum.
First, senior midfielder Haley Schweizer assisted Schneidereith on her second goal of the game. Then, a minute later, Schneidereith assisted sophomore attack Miranda Ibello on a high-to-low in the high slot, with just 30 seconds left on the clock. The two goals put the Jays on top 6-5 at the half.
Junior attack CeCe Finney opened the scoring in the second half with a goal just 47 seconds into play, again assisted by Schneidereith. At the 16:22 mark, Maffucci capped off her hat trick with a high-to-low goal from the left alley, assisted by Schweizer. About three minutes later, Schneidereith notched a hat trick as well, capitalizing on a redirect with 13:38 left to play.
The back and forth nature of the game continued. Georgetown pulled even on goals from attack Emily Ehle and midfielder Georgia Tunney at the 11:52 and 5:34 marks, respectively. Meanwhile, Schneidereith would again pull the Blue Jays ahead, 10-9 with 2:56 left to play.
Hopkins held onto the lead into the final minutes, until Georgetown capitalized on yet another free position, knotting the game at 10 with 43.1 seconds left to play. Senior goalie Caroline Federico, who made 15 saves in the game, turned away a last second shot by the Hoyas, forcing the game into overtime.
“Before we went out there, our mindset was to get the draw and to not let the ball get to their end again,” Finney said.
The Jays succeeded, executing their plan as Schweizer won the opening draw. Just 1:27 in, Ibello passed the ball to Finney, who then quickly shot and scored to seal a thrilling 11-10 win for the Jays.
“I was able to stay calm during that last shot because of the faith I have in my teammates,” Finney said. “Knowing that my teammates have my back and would cover me allowed me to not be afraid to make a mistake and to take that shot.”
Both Ibello and Schneidereith were honored by the Big Ten for their performances in the game. Ibello was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Week while Schneidereith was honored as the Freshman of the Week. Ibello credited the Hoyas for a well-fought game.
“The Georgetown game was a great match up for us; We capitalized on our opportunities and Georgetown would give it right back,” Ibello said. “We really captured the momentum at the beginning of OT when we won the draw, which was key to eventually winning the game.”
The Blue Jays continued their winning ways with a dominating 15-5 win against Furman on Sunday afternoon at Homewood. The Jays were hot from the start with Schweizer opening the scoring for Hopkins just 35 seconds into the game, with Ibello adding a goal off a free position opportunity just 2:50 later.
Already ahead 10-3 by the end of the first half, the second half brought on more dominance from the Jays. Sophomore Nicole DeMase opened the half by capping off a hat trick with the assist coming from Ibello, her fifth of the game. Fitzgerald, Maffucci and Schweizer would score the next three goals of the game, giving Schweizer a hat trick as well.
“Our offensive unit was so successful because we won the draws, finished our shots, and if we did turn the ball over, we got it back during our ride,” said Ibello.
The Paladins would add a pair of consolation goals, but it was Hopkins who drew the final blood. With 4:44 left to play, Fitzgerald capped off her hat trick to give the Jays a 15-5 lead, which would hold until the final whistle.
“We really focused a lot on some of the smaller things, like 50-50 balls at the draw and hustle plays that hurt us against Penn,” Schweizer said. “We knew Furman struggled in transition so pushing that really set the quick pace for our offense... we focused on being unselfish and throwing the ball in there.”
