Feb. 20, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

At a Glance: The #9 Johns Hopkins women's lacrosse team opens its 33rd season Saturday at George Mason. The Blue Jays are coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history. JHU went 12-8 last season and tied the school Division I record for wins. The Blue Jays also advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament for the first time as a Division I program.

Against the Patriots: Johns Hopkins leads the all-time series with George Mason 6-4 with the Blue Jays winning the last four meetings. It has been a close series between the two as six of the nine games have been decided by three or fewer goals.

The Blue Jays are 2-2 at George Mason Stadium, with their last win coming on March 23, 2005. Hopkins rallied from a 3-2 halftime deficit to defeat George Mason 8-6.

10th Anniversary: The 2008 season is the 10th anniversary of Johns Hopkins' move to the Division I level. The Blue Jays are 101-52 (.660) in nine DI seasons. Hopkins was a Division III team from 1976 to 1998 and posted a 217-135 (.616) record. The Blue Jays made nine trips to the NCAA DIII tournament and won two MAC and four Centennial Conference titles.

For Starters: This is the fifth consecutive season that Johns Hopkins has opened its season in the month of February. After dropping its first ever February contest (February 24, 2002 vs. Vanderbilt), Hopkins has won five straight.

Scouting the Patriots: George Mason is coming off a disappointing 6-10 season in which the Patriots lost seven of their final eight games of the season. After making 13 consecutive trips to the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament, George Mason missed out on the postseason in 2006 and 2007.

Returning to lead George Mason this season is senior Laura King, a second team all-region pick in 2007. She ranks second in school history in career goals and fifth in points. King is coming off a 2007 season that saw her pace the Patriots in goals (37), points (48) and shooting percentage (.552).

Guarding the net will be sophomore Sara Longobucco, who started all 16 games as a freshman. She notched 129 saves, including six games with double-digit save totals.

Poll Position: Johns Hopkins is ranked ninth in this week's IWLCA Poll and tied for 11th in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. At the end of 2007, the Blue Jays were tied for eighth in the IWLCA Poll and eighth in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll.

Preseason Honors: Seniors Lauren Schwarzmann and Kadie Stamper, along with sophomore Sam Schrum have been named to the American Lacrosse Conference Preseason All-Conference Team. Schwarzmann is a three-time All-ALC selection who was tied for second on the team in 2007 with 30 goals. Stamper, who is coming off a fall injury, has earned All-ALC honors twice. Schrum, the 2007 ALC Rookie of the Year, was tied with Schwarzmann with 30 goals last season.

In addition, Stamper was named a preseason Third Team All-American by Inside Lacrosse. She earned All-America honors from Inside Lacrosse in 2005 and 2006.

Red, White and Blue: Senior Lauren Schwarzmann was named to the U.S. Developmental Team last August. She is the second player under head coach Janine Tucker in the last two years to represent the United States. Mary Key `07 was named to the Developmental Team in 2005 and 2006. Last fall, Key was named to the U.S. Elite Team.

Oh Captain, My Captain: Seniors Sarah Gallion, Kirby Houck and Lauren Schwarzmann will serve as captains for the Blue Jays in 2008.

Gallion is the Blue Jays leader on defense. A four-year starter, she ranked second on the team last season with 42 ground balls and 16 caused turnovers. Houck scored a career-high 22 goals last season and is one of Hopkins' center draw specialists. Schwarzmann is coming off a 40-point season (30g, 10a) that saw her earn second team all-region honors.

All-Time Record: The Blue Jays open their 33rd season of lacrosse with an all-time record of 318-187-4 (.628). As a Division I program, Johns Hopkins boasts a 101-52 (.660) record in nine seasons.

21 In a Row: Johns Hopkins has posted 21 consecutive winning seasons overall, including nine as a Division I program. Among DI schools, the Blue Jays streak of nine consecutive winning seasons is tied for eighth all-time.

Among all divisions, Hopkins' streak of 21 consecutive seasons with a winning record ranks fourth all-time.

Preseason Pickings: Johns Hopkins has been picked to finish second in the ALC behind three-time NCAA Champion Northwestern. The Blue Jays, who were the runners-up at the inaugural ALC Tournament last May, just edged out the Vanderbilt Commodores for the number two slot. Penn State is picked to finish in fourth, followed by Ohio State in fifth.

We're Going Streaking: Three Blue Jays enter the 2008 season with active scoring streaks. Senior Lauren Schwarzmann leads the way with a 10-game scoring streak. Sam Schrum enters her sophomore campaign with a seven-game goal and point streak, while senior Kirby Houck is on a five-game point and goal streak.