March 11, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

At a Glance: Johns Hopkins hosts Towson tonight in the 15th meeting between the two schools. The Blue Jays are coming off a tough 12-10 loss to the #9 Georgetown Hoyas, while the Tigers enter tonight's game with a 4-0 mark.

Against the Tigers: Johns Hopkins has the edge in the all-time series with their crosstown rival Towson. The Blue Jays have won seven straight in the series and are 8-1 against the Tigers since moving to Division I in 1999.

Last Time Out: Johns Hopkins rallied with six goals in nine minutes late in the second half on Friday afternoon, but the Blue Jays rally fell just short in a 12-10 loss to #9 Georgetown. Senior middie Kirby Houck led Hopkins with a career-high five goals, including four in the second half.

Hopkins trailed 12-4 with just under 10 minutes to play before sophomore Kim Dubansky scored on a free position shot to ignite the 6-0 game-ending run.

Snowed Out: Johns Hopkins was slated to host Ohio State on Sunday in both teams' American Lacrosse Conference opener. However, due to heavy snow in Ohio, the Buckeyes were unable to make the trip to Baltimore and the game was postponed.

10th Anniversary: The 2008 season is the 10th anniversary of Johns Hopkins' move to the Division I level. The Blue Jays are 102-55 (.650) 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: Johns Hopkins is looking to get back in the win column after falling to #9 Georgetown 12-10 in a rain-soaked outing Friday afternoon. Since moving to the Division I level, the Blue Jays are 38-16 (.704) in games following a loss.

Marching On: The Blue Jays have had much success in the month of March, especially under head coach Janine Tucker. Hopkins is 99-36-1 (.732) all-time in games played in March. Under coach Tucker, the Blue Jays are 71-24 (.747) in games played in March.

Scouting the Tigers: Towson has started the season at 4-0 after defeating Mount St. Mary's, Loyola, American and George Washington. The Tigers have outscored their opponents by an average of 7.00 goals per game in their first four outings.

Fourteen different players have scored a goal in Towson's first four games this season. Junior middie Hillary Fratzke leads the way with 12 goals, while three others have tallied atleast seven goals.

Records Watch: Senior Kadie Stamper ranks second all-time in JHU history with 176 career draw controls, just 26 shy of tying the program's all-time record of 202 (Jamie Larrimore `02). Stamper also ranks ninth in school Division I history with 76 goals, 10th in points (92), eighth in caused turnovers (57) and tied for ninth in ground balls (125).

Senior Lauren Schwarzmann ranks seventh in JHU DI history with 31 career assists. She is also 11th in career goals (59) and points (89) and is eighth in draw controls (65).

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).

Home Sweet Home: Today's game is the third of four straight home games for Johns Hopkins. In fact, the Blue Jays will play four of their next five games within the friendly confines of Homewood Field. Hopkins went 9-3 at home last season and is 61-26 (.701) at home under head coach Janine Tucker since 1999.

All-Time Record: The Blue Jays are in their 33rd season of lacrosse with an all-time record of 319-190-4 (.626). As a Division I program, Johns Hopkins boasts a 102-55 (.650) 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: Several Blue Jays have active scoring streaks entering tonight's game. Senior Lauren Schwarzmann leads the way with an 11-game scoring streak. Freshman Briana Cronin has scored in each of the last four games, while senior Kadie Stamper has a goal in each of the last three games. Senior Kirby Houck and sophomores Kim Dubansky and Sam Schrum have each tallied a point in the last two games.

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.