Undefeated and ranked as the second-best team in the country heading into the game, the women’s field hockey team faced the Christopher Newport University Captains last weekend. The Jays entered this game with a record 3-6 all-time against the Captains, having lost the last time these two teams played.
In an interview with The News-Letter, junior forward Tessa Erickson acknowledged the weight this game held.
“There was definitely some extra motivation going into the game and this week in general because the teams we played were our only regular-season losses two years ago,” she said.
In the first period, both teams had opportunities to score but fell short. The score remained locked at 0-0 until 90 seconds into the second period, when Erickson found senior midfielder and reigning Centennial Conference Offensive Player of the Week Abby Birk off a corner penalty. Birk fired the shot into the cage to give Hopkins the 1-0 lead.
Just over six minutes later, Christopher Newport responded with an equalizer thanks to a goal from senior Captain Mauri Ware. The back-and-forth affair continued until 27 seconds later, when Jays senior forward Maddie Brown-Scherer broke the tie with a goal of her own.
With the score at 2-1 heading into the third period, Christopher Newport struck back again with a goal by sophomore Chloe Thompson. In the final minutes of the period, the Jays regained the lead with a goal from freshman forward Grace Nockolds, compliments of senior forward Izzy Thompson.
A minute and a half into the final period, the Jays extended the lead to the largest of the game. Junior forward Sam Chabot rebounded a missed shot to send the ball into the back of the cage.
The Hopkins defense held the lead for the rest of the way, albeit allowing another goal with less than two minutes left in the game. Nonetheless, the Jays prevailed and won 4-3 against the team that has historically given them trouble.
Beyond the final score, this matchup proved to be close in other aspects such as the number of shots and penalty corners. Hopkins had the slight edge in both categories, which may have been crucial to their close victory.
Following this win, the Jays sit at 6-0 on the season. Erickson commented on the team’s perfect start.
“It means a lot to start the season off strong and would be really great to go into Conference play this week undefeated. After having waited so long to compete, we’re all so happy to get a chance at a season and are excited to see where it goes,” she said.
Tomorrow, the Jays will take on their Conference rivals, the Swarthmore College Garnet on Sept. 25 in Swarthmore, Pa.
