Women’s lacrosse faced off against the Drexel University Dragons on Saturday to begin their regular season schedule. Hopkins had never lost to Drexel coming into the game, but this was no easy win. The outcome of the game was up in the air until the last minutes of play.
Junior midfielder Shelby Harrison spoke about the team’s goals for the season.
“Our team has high expectations for the season and has set big goals such as winning a Big Ten Championship and National Championship,” she said. “Our team really strives to take it one game at a time and really focus on what we can improve on from the previous game.”
The game began with two quick goals from Drexel. The Blue Jays had already committed a foul and earned a yellow card within the first four minutes. But before Drexel could get momentum, senior midfielder Eva Klaus scored the Blue Jays’ first goal of the game from an assist by senior attackwoman Mackenzie Heldberg.
But only a few seconds later, another Hopkins foul gave the Dragons a free goal. This was followed by both teams committing turnovers during the next three minutes as neither team could score.
Hopkins needed to begin their comeback, so the short drought was eventually broken by junior attackwoman Aurora Cordingley from another Heldberg assist. Harrison scored two minutes later to tie the score at 3-3.
The rest of the first half was filled with more back-and-forth scoring. The score was tied at 4-4 with 11 minutes left and then at 5-5 with eight minutes left. After that point, Drexel scored two consecutive goals to take a solid lead.
As usual, the Blue Jays did not relent. They would not let the Dragons finish the half with the last word.
Cordingley scored an unassisted goal to bring the score to 7-6 Drexel with 19 seconds until halftime.
Hopkins came out of halftime firing. Thirty-two seconds in, Cordingley fired a shot on goal but Drexel’s goalie saved it.
A minute later, Heldberg fired a shot that bounced off of the post. Unfortunately, Drexel ended up getting the first point of the second half, extending their lead to two points again.
With 25 minutes remaining in the game, Drexel was given a yellow card. Playing a man up, the Blue Jays were able to capitalize with a goal from senior attackwoman Maggie Schneidereith.
Drexel later committed a similar mistake. A foul on the Dragons gave Hopkins a free shot, and Harrison placed it in the goal, tying the game at 8-8.
Harrison discussed how her teammates affected her performance this game.
“Everyone contributes to the outcome of the game,” she said. “My teammates enable me to have the scoring opportunities that I got this weekend.
She further explained how the team works together as an offensive and defensive unit to score.
“I feel we work together as a unit both on the offensive side and the defensive side. Many of our scoring opportunities start with the defensive unit by making great stops and transitioning it down to the offense,” Harrison said.
Drexel then went on yet another 2-0 run, giving them a multi-goal lead with 19 minutes to play.
But again, Hopkins returned with their own 2-0 run, featuring goals by Schneidereith and freshman attackwoman Carly Steinlauf. This goal brought the score to 10-10, the fifth tie of the game.
Cordingley scored an unassisted goal after Drexel notched one of their own. At 11-11, there were only 10 minutes remaining and neither team had been able to get a significant edge all game.
When the clock hit the seven-minute mark, the score was unchanged. Steinlauf prevented the game from ending in a tie by scoring her second goal, this time from a pass by freshman midfielder Madison McPherson. Hopkins celebrated this lead, but there were still six minutes to play.
With less than four minutes, the game still seemed up in the air. But the Blue Jays ended any uncertainty that remained. Harrison scored a goal from a Heldberg assist. And with that, Hopkins led 13-11. The team was able to prevent Drexel from scoring as the last three minutes ticked off of the clock.
Hopkins remains undefeated against Drexel, extending their all-time record against the Dragons to 6-0. Harrison and Cordingley both finished the game with three goals. Heldberg ended up with four assists as well.
Harrison explained what the team learned from the game.
“While we did win the game, we know that there are things we need to improve on,” she said. “Our team is always looking to improve each game and to learn from our mistakes. We should focus on shot placement and really finding the goalie’s weaknesses.”
She also analyzed some specific goals her teammates have going forward.
“On defense we can improve our communication and make the right decision in a split second. For the midfield we would really like to improve our work in between the 30s and that would include the draw, riding the opposing team to get the ball back, and successfully clearing the ball out of our defensive side,” she said.
The Blue Jays will face off against local rival Loyola Maryland on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Loyola.
