For the first time ever, two Centennial Conference teams are headed to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Final Four as Johns Hopkins and Franklin & Marshall each posted quarterfinal victories on Sunday afternoon.
This marks the third-straight season that at least one Centennial squad has advanced to the Final Four. Johns Hopkins made it to the semifinals last fall, while F&M qualified for the semis in 2017. In total, 11 CC teams have advanced to the NCAA semifinals, with Ursinus' seven appearances leading the way (2005-06-08-09-10-11-15).
In Baltimore, Md., fifth-ranked Johns Hopkins ousted fourth-ranked Tufts 2-1 in overtime to advance to the national semifinals for the second-straight season. Sunday's victory marked a bit of revenge for the Blue Jays, as defending national runner-up Tufts defeated JHU in the Final Four matchup last fall. Izzy Thompson scored just 59 seconds into the first overtime for the Blue Jays to knock out the Jumbos at Homewood Field.
In Ewing, N.J. on the campus of TCNJ, sixth-ranked Franklin & Marshall dominated MIT 5-1, sending the Diplomats to the Final Four for the fourth time in program history. CC Offensive Player of the Year Lily Mynott again shined for the Diplomats, posting a hat trick in the convincing victory.
JHU (19-2) and F&M (19-3) will face off in the NCAA semifinal round on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Spooky Nook Sports complex in Manheim, Pa. Game time for the first semifinal is set for 11 a.m. Hopkins enters the semifinal matchup riding a 15-game winning streak, while the Diplomats will look to avenge their two losses to the Blue Jays this season.
Two-time defending national champion Middlebury (19-1) faces Salisbury (20-1) in the other semifinal at 2 p.m. The Championship game is set for Sunday, Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. at Spooky Nook.