Johns Hopkins knows how to rebound after losing three straight games. The sixth-ranked Blue Jays suffered through a three-game skid last season before winning their last nine to claim a second national title in the past three years.
But this season?s losing streak has been much more heartbreaking, as each loss has happened in overtime, culminating with a 13-12 defeat to Virginia (9-0) in Charlottesville on March 22.
Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala said the margin for error continues to shrink as more and more schools are fielding competitive teams. But still, there?s no reason for the Blue Jays to panic ? at least not yet. Johns Hopkins has plenty of big games against highly ranked teams, beginning with North Carolina (6-2) this afternoon at 2 at Homewood Field.
“We could easily be 6-0 as we are 3-3 right now,” Pietramala said. “No one is feeling sorry for themselves on the team right now. They understand that they can bounce back from this as we’ve done it before. But knowing that can also be a curse because they can’t just expect everything to turn around. You have to work hard for that to happen, and so far, I’ve seen that work in practice this week.”
Prior to Hopkins’ overtime losses to Hofstra, Syracuse and Virginia, the Blue Jays had won their previous nine games that were tied after regulation, including an 8-7 victory at Maryland last season to begin their nine-game run to the title.
Johns Hopkins is 13-5 in overtime games and 30-9 in one-goal games since the start of the 2001 season. Dealing with midseason adversity also is nothing new for Hopkins under Pietramala. In 2001, the Blue Jays were 2-2 before winning six of their next seven. In 2006, Johns Hopkins rallied to win six of seven after opening 3-3. Last year, the Blue Jays opened the season 4-4 before winning the national title.
If Johns Hopkins needed any more motivation for today?s game, the Blue Jays were upset at North Carolina last season, 13-10. The Tar Heels are coming off a 13-8 loss against visiting Maryland on March 22.
The Tar Heels are led by junior attack Bart Wagner, a former St. Paul’s standout, who has 13 goals and 11 assists, with junior attacker Ben Hunt (Severna Park) adding 12 goals and five assists.
Johns Hopkins sophomore goalie Michael Gvozden is very familiar with Hunt, as they grew up together and were teammates in high school. Hunt’s brother, Chris, is a freshman midfielder for North Carolina. Gvozden and the Hunts are still very good friends, but that will be put aside this afternoon.
“We’ve found out quickly this year that lacrosse is a game of inches,” Gvozden said. “We know we’re not guaranteed anything, especially after North Carolina beat us last year. No one is panicking yet because we’re all focused on helping one another to get back on track.”
