Feb. 26, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

At a Glance: The #9 Johns Hopkins women's lacrosse team is looking to rebound after a tough season-opening loss at George Mason on Saturday. It is the first loss in a season opener for the Blue Jays since an 11-8 loss to #2 Duke in 2003.

Against the Colonials: Hopkins leads the all-time series against George Washington, having won all five meetings between the two schools. Today's game marks just the second in the series to be played at George Washington. The Blue Jays and the Colonials have played the last three meetings in Baltimore at Homewood Field.

Last Time Out: Johns Hopkins is coming off an 11-10 loss at George Mason in the Blue Jays season-opener. Trailing 6-3 at the half, Hopkins rallied in the second and took its first lead of the game at 10-9 with 7:50 to play. The Blue Jays could not hold on however, as the Patriots tallied twice in the final 5:10 for the upset.

Sophomore attacker Sam Schrum scored a game-high four goals for Hopkins, including three in the second half. Senior middie Lauren Schwarzmann and freshman middie Brianna Cronin each scored twice in the loss.

10th Anniversary: The 2008 season is the 10th anniversary of Johns Hopkins' move to the Division I level. The Blue Jays are 101-53 (.656) in 10 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.

Rebounding: Hopkins dropped its season opener on Saturday, 11-10 at George Mason. The Blue Jays are looking to get their first win of the season today against the Colonials. Since moving to the Division I level, the Blue Jays are 37-15 in games following a loss.

Scouting the Colonials: George Washington is guided by first year head coach Tara Hannaford. She comes to the District after serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at William and Mary for the past three seasons. The Tribe posted a 21-28 overall record during Hannaford's tenure.

George Washington nearly pulled off the biggest upset in program history, but 10th-ranked Georgetown scored two of the game's final three goals to deal the Colonials an 11-10 defeat in both teams' season opener at Mount Vernon Field last week.

Sophomore attacker Mia Breheny scored her career-high fourth goal of the game with 2:45 remaining to pull GW to within a goal at 11-10. Senior Caitlin Garman made one of her career-high 18 saves to give the Colonials possession with just over a minute to play, but shots in the waning seconds by junior Katherine Sampson and senior Lindsay Melvin missed the target.

Poll Position: Johns Hopkins is ranked ninth in this week's IWLCA Poll and 14th 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.

Tewaaraton Watch List: Senior middie Lauren Schwarzmann has been named to the 2008 Warrior Tewaaraton Trophy Watch List. She is one of 44 players named to the list. The Tewaaraton Trophy is presented annually to the top male and female lacrosse players in the nation.

The 2007 season was the finest of Schwarzmann's career, after she set career highs in goals (30), points (40) and draws (36). She earned First Team All-American Lacrosse Conference and Second Team All-Mid Atlantic Region honors. Schwarzmann, a member of the U.S. Developmental Team, enters the 2008 season ranked 11th in JHU Division I history in career goals (57) and 10th in career points (88).

All-Time Record: The Blue Jays are in their 33rd season of lacrosse with an all-time record of 318-188-4 (.627). As a Division I program, Johns Hopkins boasts a 101-53 (.656) record in 10 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.

We're Going Streaking: Three Blue Jays enter today's game with active scoring streaks that date back to last season. Senior Lauren Schwarzmann leads the way with an 11-game scoring streak. Sam Schrum has an eight-game goal and point streak, while senior Kirby Houck is on a six-game point and goal streak.

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.

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.