BALTIMORE, MD – The fourth-ranked and top-seeded Johns Hopkins field hockey team prevailed in a shootout, 5-4, over Bryn Mawr to win its fourth consecutive Centennial Conference Championship Saturday afternoon at Homewood Field. JHU punches its ticket to the NCAA Tournament with the win.
The Blue Jays controlled much of the play, but it took until midway through the fourth quarter before they could get on the board. Senior
Tessa Erickson collected the rebound after a Maggie Titus save and back-handed a shot through several defenders and into the goal to put Hopkins on top with 8:13 to play.
It looked like Hopkins was on its way to winning in regulation, but with time winding down, Bryn Mawr got the equalizer to force overtime. Sarah Chapman found Novy Geotgeluk on the left post and she banged home the tying goal with just 0.8 seconds remaining in regulation.
The teams then battled through two overtimes before heading to a shootout. After five rounds in the shootout, the teams were tied at four and headed to sudden death in the shootout. Both shooters made their shots on the sixth attempt. The Owls then missed on the seventh, setting up the Blue Jays to win. Junior
Gen Mehra took the shot and was fouled, drawing a penalty stroke. Graduate student
Abby Birk then took the stroke and beat Titus to give Hopkins the title.
Hopkins outshot Bryn Mawr 34-7 and had a 21-5 advantage in corners. Junior
Alexis Loder played three quarters and both overtimes and finished with one save. Senior
Anna Scott made a defensive save midway through the third quarter. Senior
Morgan Seward played the first quarter in the goal and was not forced to make a save. Titus finished with 15 saves for the Owls. Maggie Barilla and Kate Ervin each made defensive saves for Bryn Mawr.
Birk was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player. This is her second straight CC Tournament MVP honor.
The NCAA Tournament field will be announced on Sunday, November 6 at 10:30 pm on NCAA.com.
Notes: Hopkins wins its fourth Centennial Conference Tournament title under head coach
Jane Wells and sixth overall • JHU is now 90-15 under Wells, including 9-1 in the conference tournament • Hopkins will make its fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 12
th overall.