This past weekend, the Hopkins field hockey team defeated No. 19 ranked Ursinus College by a score of 2-0. The victory continued the team’s undefeated Conference season, while also extending the Jays’ win streak to 10 games. This is their longest win streak since 2008 and their 14-1 record is the best start to a season in school history.
The two goals were scored by junior midfielder Katie McErlean and freshman forward Izzy Thompson, who tied the single-season school record for most goals (11) by a freshman. The Blue Jays’ win was secured due to a strong defensive showing by junior goalie Jodie Baris. The Connecticut native stopped ten shots by the Bears and recorded her sixth shutout of the season, enough to earn her the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week award.
Baris sat down for an interview with The News-Letter, during which she discussed her recent efforts and the team’s success as of late.
The News-Letter: What were the keys to the team’s success this weekend?
Jodie Baris: We’ve been working so hard this season and we’ve also been very successful at implementing the things we work on in practice during our games. It’s a great feeling to succeed at something we had trouble with the week before.
N-L: As the goalie for one of the best defenses in the nation, you have only allowed four goals during Conference play. To what do you attribute your success?
JB: Defensively, we’re becoming a very strong unit and I think that’s partly good decision making and partly strong communication. As goalie, part of my job is to direct my teammates on defensive plays. That way, we have a better chance to stop the other team from getting shots off and I can be in a better position to make a save.
N-L: What is your mindset going into a game knowing that the team likely has a target on its back?
JB: We treat every game like it’s our championship. Our job is to play our best, and the results have been great so far.
N-L: What does Head Coach Jane Wells do to keep the team motivated when you’re riding a long win streak?
JB: Jane pushes us really hard, especially after a big win and I think that really helps us stay grounded. She pushes us to keep improving after every game.
N-L: How have you developed as a player since your freshman year?
JB: I’ve gotten a lot more confident since my freshman year, and it’s a very different environment where I’m more comfortable taking risks.
N-L: What are your personal goals and the team’s goals as you near the end of the regular season?
JB: My personal goal for the rest of the season is to keep working hard and to improve as much as I can. As a team, we’re all trying to stay focused on the next game and working to prepare as well as we can for every team.
N-L: What must the team focus on to keep its momentum and win streak going?
JB: We have to focus on maintaining the fundamentals and staying aggressive in our play. Also, keeping in mind that every game is an opportunity for growth and we need to work hard every time we’re on the field.
N-L: How does the team’s national ranking factor into everyone’s attitude and confidence?
JB: Right now, we’re all so excited that our performance shows how hard we’re working. We want to succeed and that extra bit of motivation gives us a lot more energy and excitement going into our games. We’re obviously really excited that we’ve moved up in the national rankings, but a lot of the teams we’re playing are right there with us. The teams we play are really great competition but we’re confident in our abilities too. It’s really exciting!
The Blue Jays will close their regular season in Lancaster, Pa. when they take on the Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 12 p.m. The game will decide who hosts the Centennial Conference Tournament.
