News Release
N.C. Wesleyan Tips Johns Hopkins, 2-0 in NCAA Second Round
BALTIMORE, MD � Two goals in a six-minute span in the second half lifted #2 N.C. Wesleyan over #18 Johns Hopkins Sunday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Jays end their season at 18-4-0, finishing just one win shy of the school record. The Bishops move to 18-1-0 and will face the Loras Duhawks in the Sweet 16.
After a scoreless first period in which N.C. Wesleyan out shot Hopkins 6-3, the Bishops continued to pressure the Blue Jays to start the second. It was Daniel Jones who would break the scoreless draw in the 57th minute. From the left touchline, Jimmy Pierce crossed the ball into the Blue Jays� box where Daniel Jones headed it over the outstretched hands of goalie Matt Mierley (Weston, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas).
Just over five minutes later, N.C. Wesleyan was awarded a penalty kick after a Hopkins foul. Marco Kirsch stepped to the line and scored on a shot to Mierley�s left. The Blue Jays had chances late in the game to get on the board. Freshman David Drake (Medford, NJ/Shawnee) nearly put one in, in the 80th minute when he blasted a shot off the crossbar. In the 83rd minute, Bishops goalie Kevin Quicker just tipped over the bar a header by senior Ben McAbee (Hagerstown, MD/North Hagerstown).
Mierley finished with four saves to finish the season at 15-3-0. Quicker finished with three saves to earn the shutout for the Bishops. N.C. Wesleyan just had the edge in shots (12-11), while Hopkins had the edge in corners (4-3). The Blue Jays scored 81 goals this season, just four shy of the school record of 85 set in 2002.
McAbee finishes his career with 59 points on 20 goals and 19 assists. He ranks 15th in program history in points, tied for 19th in goals and tied for 10th in assists. Also ending his career was senior Mo Hamzeh (Clarksville, MD/River Hill). He finishes his career with 26 points on 10 goals and six assists.
Submitted 2007-11-11 18:23:27 by Johns Hopkins University Sports Information Department
