Oct. 24, 2005
NEW LONDON, CT -
The Johns Hopkins water polo team won its second straight Division III Eastern Championship, held this past weekend at Connecticut College. The Blue Jays defeated MIT in the title game after winning against Connecticut College and Penn State Behrend in the first two rounds.
In the opening game, Johns Hopkins used a strong second half to down Connecticut College, 15-4. The Blue Jays had a slight 2-0 lead after the first quarter and 5-3 edge at halftime before scoring 10 second-half goals and allowing just one by the host Camels. Senior James Singleton scored a team-high three goals, while classmate Billy Irvine and junior David Strickland each had two and eight other Blue Jays chipped in one goal apiece.
The Blue Jays carried their momentum into the Penn State Behrend game and scored six goals in the first period. Hopkins led 6-1 after one, 8-2 at the half, and 12-3 after the third quarter. Sophomore Sean McCreery, senior Jacob Honig, and Irvine each had three goals en route to the 17-5 win.
The two wins placed Hopkins in the championship game against MIT, ranked #8 in Division III. The Blue Jays jumped to a 4-2 first-quarter lead and entered halftime ahead 8-3. Each team scored two goals in the third period and three goals in the fourth as Johns Hopkins held on for the 13-8 win. Singleton, McCreery, and freshman Peter Davis led the Blue Jays with four goals apiece, while sophomore Mitch Williams made 11 saves in goal.
The Blue Jays travel to Navy for the Southern Championships next weekend, October 28-30.
