Mixed Results for JHU Teams in NCAA Competions
Johns Hopkins quarterback Robbie Matey (5) in the playoffs last year against Mount Union. Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
It was a busy day for Johns Hopkins University sports as the men’s and women’s cross country teams competed in the National Championships in Hanover, Indiana; and the football and women’s soccer teams had NCAA playoff games.
Cross Country
The women did it again – defending their 2012 national championship by a comfortable margin. Come back tomorrow morning for a dedicated article on this. The men’s team placed 11th overall.
Football
The previously undefeated (10-0) Johns Hopkins University football team competed in the NCAA Division III playoffs today at Homewood Field, suffering a last-minute 29-24 loss to the 8-2 Wesley Wolverines – a perennial power making their ninth consecutive appearance. Hopkins came into the game ranked #8 in the country, with Wesley at #14.
With 43 seconds remaining in the game, JHU took a lead of 24-23 on a record-setting 10-yard touchdown pass from Robbie Matey to Dan Wodicka – who set the all-time receiving record for his career at JHU.
But the Wolverines completed three long passes and covered 82 yards in a span of only 30 seconds to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Blue Jays sported an incredible offense throughout the regular season, averaging 512 yards per game in a very balanced attack – 268 rushing and 244 passing. They also exhibited a solid game of defense as well, giving up an average of only 16 points a game, while the offense has averaged 42.
Coming into today’s game, Hopkins football over the past 34 regular season games has won 33 of them. They were also undefeated in the 2011 regular season before losing in the playoffs. Since late in the 2010 season, including playoff games, the Blue Jays are a combined 36-3.
Here is a tally of the regular season games and the Centennial Conference Championship …
Randolph-Macon, 38-14 / Susquehanna , 24-7 / Moravian, 52-14 / Muhlenberg, 45-13 / Juniata, 65-10 / Dickinson, 42-17 / Gettysburg , 34-16 / Ursinus, 24-18 / Franklin & Marshall, 45-30 / McDaniel, 52-21
Women’s Soccer
The sixth-ranked JHU women’s soccer team defeated 17th-ranked Williams College 2-1 Saturday with 22 seconds remaining in the second overtime of the Sectionals Round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament. Their current total seasonal record stands at 21-1-1.
The playoffs began with opening round games last weekend. The Johns Hopkins women defeated Brooklyn College 6-1 in the first round, and they then topped York College 1-0 in overtime.
Today’s game was played at Middlebury College in Vermont. In the other game, #10 Misericordia lost to #13 Middlebury – who will therefore be the opponent for the JHU women in the sectional final tomorrow (Sunday). The winner will advance to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Final Four in San Antonio, TX.