The Basics 
• Score: #4 Tufts-3, #9 Johns Hopkins-1
• Records: JHU (19-3) • TU (19-2)
• Location: Manheim, PA • Spooky Nooks Sports
• The Short Story: The best season in Johns Hopkins field hockey history ended with a tough 3-1 loss to fourth-ranked Tufts on Saturday in the NCAA semifinals.
 
How it Happened
• Tufts struck first as the Jumbos capitalized on their first penalty corner of the game. Marguerite Salamone inserted to Beth Krikorian on the short side and she slotted a low shot to the far post just 12:40 in.
• The Jumbos had a breakaway chance with just 90 seconds remaining in the half, but junior Jodie Baris came charging out of the goal and knocked the ball away.
• Hopkins knotted the score just 6:06 into the second half, cashing in on its first corner of the game. Freshman Abby Birk sent a short pass to classmate Sarah Matyas, who lofted a high shot over the head of Andie Stallman and into the cage.
• The Blue Jays nearly got the go-ahead goal with a flurry of shots four minutes later, but Stallman turned aside two and a third went just wide.
• Coming out of a timeout, Tufts retook the lead at the 52:44-mark. Gigi Tutoni carried the ball along the left end line and then slipped a pass to Rachel Hamilton, who tipped it in at the far post. Just 93 seconds later, the Jumbos grabbed a two-goal lead when Tutoni collected a loose ball in the circle and buried her shot to put Tufts up 3-1.
• Hopkins had several great chances to get one back, but the Tufts defense, which entered the game ranked third in the nation in goals against average, held off the Blue Jays' attack.
 
Quoting Coach Wells
"It was a great game, unfortunately it was decided by a few little mistakes at the end of the day. I'm really proud of our team and the effort that we put in today, especially of the turn-around after half time. Even though they score two second-half goals, we were able to put a lot of pressure on them. We earned some corners and took seven shots in the second half, so kudos to their defense, but we played really well and I'm really proud of the effort we left on the field."
 
"I'm so grateful to all of our players and also our staff at Hopkins, they're so supportive, as well as our Centennial Conference peers. They do a lot to make us better day in and day out, there's not an easy game in the Centennial Conference. I'm really excited for the future of the program, but to get where we are for today after just two years with a team is incredible. And it's all to their credit with how hard they're willing to work and how much they're willing to work. I just knew from the get-go when I arrived at Hopkins that it was a really special group and the potential was there to be on this stage. I feel lucky and grateful to be here."
 
What it Means
• Today's game was the first-ever meeting between Johns Hopkins and Tufts. The Blue Jays were also making their first trip to the NCAA semifinals.
• Hopkins ends the season with a school-record 19 wins and a program-best 86.3 winning percentage (19-3).
 
Inside the Box Score
• Baris finished with three saves while Stallman made a pair for the Jumbos.
• Shots were even at seven apiece and Hopkins had a 5-3 advantage in penalty corners.