The Basics
• Score: #20 Johns Hopkins-15, VCU-6
• Records: JHU (1-0) • VCU (0-1)
• Location: Baltimore, MD • Homewood Field
• The Short Story: The 20^th-ranked Johns Hopkins women's lacrosse team got a combined seven goals from fifth-year senior Shelby Harrison and junior Maeve Barker as the Blue Jays opened the season with a 15-6 win over VCU.

 How it Happened
• VCU grabbed a two-goal lead midway through the first quarter with strikes from Kelsey McDonnell and Juliana George. Hopkins finally got on the board when Harrison beat Meghna Dawar off the right alley dodge at the 6:13-mark. Just 67 seconds later, freshman Charlotte Smith scored on a quick-stick off the Georgia Esmond feed to knot the score. Harrison then scored an unassisted tally with 1:02 to play in the quarter to put the Blue Jays on top, 3-2.
• Sophomore Jordan Carr dodged from left to right across the fan and scored from eight yards out early in the second to make it a two-goal lead. Barker followed with a goal off the dodge from goal line extended to stake Hopkins to a 5-2 lead with 10:49 to play in the second. As it turned out that would do it for the second-quarter scoring and the Blue Jays would take a three-goal lead into the half.
• Just like the first quarter, McDonnell opened the scoring as she converted a free position shot for the Rams. Smith answered with one of her own 90 seconds later and it was 6-3 Blue Jays.
• The defenses took over for the ensuing seven minutes as the score remained 6-3. It was all offense in the final 3:43 of the quarter however as the teams combined for five goals. VCU got back-to-back goals from Emma Barber and George to pull within one with 1:39 to play. Hopkins responded with three goals in just 24 seconds. Esmond got things going as she dodged from behind off a restart and scored from the doorstep. Just 11.9 seconds later, Esmond found senior Claire Mills for the score. Harrison capped the flurry by winning the draw, racing in and earning a free position shot. She cashed in on the shot, giving Hopkins a 9-5 lead after three.
• The Blue Jays picked up where they left off, scoring six straight to open the fourth and pushing their lead to 15-5. Esmond and Barker combined for three goals and three assists in the six-goal spurt. Sophomore Georgie Gorelick capped the run with her unassisted tally at the 3:45-mark. VCU's Cammie Mann had the final say of the game as she scored with 1:24 to play to account for the 15-6 final.  
 
What it Means
• Hopkins opens the season with a win for the 21^st time under head coach Janine Tucker.
• Today's game was the first-ever meeting between the Blue Jays and the Rams.

Inside the Box Score
• Harrison led all scorers and tied her career high with four goals. She also controlled a game-high draws, caused a turnover and picked up two ground balls. Harrison is now second in JHU history with 244 career draw controls.
• Barker notched her fourth career hat trick and added an assist. Esmond handed out a career-high four helpers and added two goals for a career-best six points.
• Fifth-year senior Keegan Barger added four draws and three caused turnovers, and is now tied for 10^th in school history with 65 career takeaways. Senior Annika Meyer had a game-high four caused turnovers and five ground balls and moved into a tie for 18^th in school history in caused turnovers (49). Fifth-year senior goalie Kathleen Garvey finished with four saves, including the 200^th of her career.
• George led the Rams with two goals and two assists, while McDonnell had the two goals. Meghna made an impressive 16 saves in the cage, including 11 in the first half.
 
 Up Next
• Hopkins returns to action on Saturday, February 19 as the Blue Jays host 10^th-ranked Loyola. Opening draw at Homewood Field is slated for 11:00 am.
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