The fourth-ranked women’s soccer team closed out their undefeated regular season Conference schedule with a 5-0 shutout against the Franklin & Marshall College Diplomats. After taking the regular season title, the Blue Jays will host the Centennial Conference Tournament, which will decide who will come out with both a championship and a ticket to continue their season into the NCAA Tournament.
Several Blue Jays made impressive plays throughout the 90 minutes. Graduate student forward Michelle Santangelo opened up the scoring with her 11th goal on the season near the 22-minute mark. Five minutes later, junior forward Maddy Rocks gave the Jays another goal off a rebound. Freshman forward Arianna Konstantopoulos also contributed a goal of her own late in the game.
However, one Blue Jay in particular had yet another noteworthy performance. Freshman forward Rachel Jackson was an offensive weapon on Saturday. Jackson not only made an impressive assist to help Santangelo put in the first goal of the game, but she also scored back-to-back goals, doubling the Blue Jay lead from 2-0 to 4-0. For her two-goal and one-assist contribution, she has been named this week’s Athlete of the Week. The Centennial Conference also acknowledged her performance and named her the Conference’s Offensive Player of the Week.
Jackson sat down for an interview with The News-Letter, in which she talked about her experience being an offensive leader as a freshman and playing with the support of the rest of her team.
The News-Letter: What are your thoughts on your first collegiate season thus far?
Rachel Jackson: So far I’ve had an amazing time here during my first collegiate season. I love this school and the team, and I think it’s the perfect fit for me. The team made all of the freshman feel very welcome, and it really set the school year and the season off to a great start!
N-L: Do you feel any pressure being a starter and offensive leader as a freshman?
RJ: I do feel a little bit of pressure yes, but it’s mostly just pressure that I put on myself to play well. The coaches and team are all very supportive, so I always feel very comfortable starting as a freshman.
N-L: What has made the team so successful this year?
RJ: This year, the team has been so successful because of the mindset that we have had. At the beginning of the season, we set up three big goals, and we are focusing on accomplishing one at a time.
N-L: What is your mindset heading into the Centennial Conference Tournament?
RJ: Heading into the Centennial Conference Tournament, I am mostly feeling extremely excited. I love playing at home, and I can’t wait to play in my first Conference Tournament.
N-L: Why did you decide to come to Hopkins?
RJ: I decided to come to Hopkins because it was the perfect balance of everything I wanted in a school. Hopkins has extremely competitive Division-III sports but also is an academically rigorous school. It’s a perfect distance away from home (northern Virginia), and I love being in Baltimore.
The Blue Jays will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 3 for the semi-final round of the Centennial Conference Tournament. Because Hopkins went undefeated in Conference and secured the top spot during the regular season, the team has earned the privilege to host all three Tournament games on Homewood Field, including the Championship matchup on Sunday afternoon. Come by to watch both Rachel Jackson and the rest of the Jays on Saturday, when they attempt to advance to the finals and ultimately win the title to clinch an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
