BALTIMORE, MD – The fourth-ranked Johns Hopkins women's soccer team opened up Centennial Conference play with a matchup against Muhlenberg Saturday afternoon, getting goals from a trio of players en route to the 3-0 win in front of the home fans. The victory was head coach Dan Weiler's 300^th at the helm of a women's soccer program, as he now sits at 300-83-41 across his career.
 
The Blue Jays (4-1-1, 1-0 Centennial Conference) were aggressive from the opening kickoff, and took just under two minutes to score the game's first goal. Forcing a turnover in the Mules' (2-2-2, 0-1 Centennial Conference) half, Lilah Isenberg sent a through ball to Lily Gaston down the right side. The sophomore caught up to the pass just inside the box and slipped it past the charging Muhlenberg goalie and into the goal to put Hopkins ahead 1-0. The goal was Gaston's first of the season and second of her career.
 
The Jays kept the pressure on in the ensuing 30 minutes, getting shots on frame from Megha Salvi and Katie Sullivan that both forced saves from the Mules' goalkeeper before Natalie Smith scored her first of the season in the 33^rd minute.
 
A quick throw in from Ava Venuti set the ball up with Charlotte Tapp just outside the box. The graduate student controlled the pass and sent it out to Natalie Smith, who took one touch to her right before rifling a shot from 30 yards that had Muhlenberg's goalie stuck to the turf, sizzling in by the near post to double Hopkins' lead. The Jays would enter the break up 2-0 with a 13-0 shot advantage.
 
The second half started much like the first for the Jays, as it took Weiler's side just over four minutes to add another goal to their tally. This time it was Sullivan receiving the ball about 25 yards out. Initially with her back to goal, the junior saw space around her, turned and sent a low shot toward the far corner that was just passed the outstretched hands of the Mules' netminder and in. The score brought Sullivan's season tally up to a team-leading seven, as the Yardley, PA native has scored in all but one game thus far.
 
Hopkins created a few more chances from Calista Poulos and Rylie Mutton, but none found the back of the net before the final whistle blew, ending the game 3-0 in favor of the Jays.
 
Hopkins returns to Homewood Field Wednesday, Sept 20 for a conference matchup against Dickinson, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.