Release courtesy of Johns Hopkins Athletic Communications
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – The fourth-ranked Johns Hopkins field hockey team earned a first-round bye to the 2022 NCAA Tournament and will travel to Babson this weekend. Hopkins will play the winner of William Smith and Hartwick in the second round on Saturday, November 12.
Hopkins (16-3) earned an automatic bid to the tournament after winning its fourth straight Centennial Conference Championship on Saturday. The Blue Jays enter the tournament riding a 13-game win streak, during which they've outscored their opponents 47-3. JHU played five teams in this year's NCAA Tournament field and went 3-2 in those games.
Hopkins is making its fourth NCAA Tournament appearance under fifth-year head coach Jane Wells. The Blue Jays have made each of the last three Final Fours and made their first-ever appearance in the national championship game last season.
William Smith earned the automatic bid after beating Rochester in the Liberty League Championship. It is the Herons' 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance, but first since 2015. William Smith has won three national championships and made the NCAA Final Four six times in its history.
Hartwick beat Houghton to win the Empire 8 on Sunday to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Hawks are making their ninth overall appearance in the tournament and second in the last three seasons. Hartwick has won three straight and four of its last five entering the tournament.
Babson, ranked 10th in the nation, won its second straight NEWMAC Championship on Saturday. The Beavers have won 14 straight and have outscored their opponents, 43-9, during that stretch. This is Babson's seventh NCAA Tournament appearance, with five of those coming in the last seven seasons.
Babson will take on the winner of Rochester and the University of New England in the other second round game on Saturday. The two winners will then face off on Sunday for the right to travel to Rowan for the NCAA Final Four.