The women’s soccer team defended their undefeated record in an away game against the Catholic University of America Cardinals last weekend.
The scoring began early when in the 16th minute, junior forward Callie Jones fired a shot into the opposite corner of the goal to give Hopkins the 1-0 lead. While unsuccessful in their next five shots, the Jays continued to put on the pressure, eventually scoring in the 33rd minute.
For the second goal of the night, junior captain and midfielder Molly Reich found sophomore defender Sophia Stone to send the shot to the back of the net. While the offense executed, the defense held their ground as well.
By the end of the first half, senior goalie Caitlin Hendricks allowed zero shots into the goal, while the rest of the Hopkins defense limited the Cardinals to just six shots. Up 2-0 heading into the second half, the Jays did more of the same by scoring two goals and allowing none.
Less than three minutes into the half, junior midfielder Emma Bocanegra launched the ball from midfield to score the third goal of the night. In the 70th minute, sophomore Alanna Craig capped off the night by sending her shot between the opposing team’s goalie’s hands, giving Reich the assist.
The Jays completed the shutout and won 4-0 against the Cardinals. Both sides of the ball showed their dominance, as the Jays had 11 shots on goal and the Cardinals only three.
Beyond the win, this game between the Jays and the Cardinals marks some career firsts for several players. Stone, Bocanegra and Craig all scored their first goals. In addition, Reich notched two assists for the first time in her Hopkins career.
It also bears mention that the Hopkins defense allowed only one goal in the four games played.
So far this season, no signs of rust seem to show for the Jays despite not having played in any official games last year. In an interview with The News-Letter, Craig shared what has been key to playing so well from the jump.
“Over the summer we committed to maintaining our fitness and skill so that we could come into preseason ready to ‘hit the ground running,‘ as our coach put it,” she said. “A number of us that stayed in the Baltimore area joined a semi-professional team to get more touches on the ball and compete together.”
Craig believes that this start has shown that the Jays can accomplish big things this season.
“Our goal is to win the national championship! Given our successes so far, we’re confident that exciting things are ahead,” she said.
The Jays resume their quest toward a championship when they play Centennial Conference rivals, the Bryn Mawr College Owls, back at Homewood on Sept. 18.
