Yale Wins Low-Scoring Affair Against Hopkins, Advances to Quarterfinals

Jenna Collignon was a force for Yale on Sunday, pulling down draw controls, tiptoeing into the eight-meter arc on cuts and tallying four goals against a strong Johns Hopkins defense.

The junior attacker led the way for the host Bulldogs, scoring two of the team’s last four goals, as No. 6 Yale defeated Johns Hopkins 9-7 in the second round of the NCAA tournament in New Haven.

It’s another addition to a storybook season for the Bulldogs, who went 7-0 in the Ivy League for the first time ever and secured a program-record 15 regular season wins.

The first half was all about defense. It was scoreless until halfway through the first quarter, when Charlotte Smith cut through the eight-meter to make it 1-0 in favor of the Blue Jays. Attackers rarely got near either crease in the first period, stymied by two tough defenses.

Both attacks were patient, settling into pass-heavy schemes with plenty of cutters. Goals were far and few between, however, with Yale leading just 4-3 at halftime.

The Bulldogs opened the second-half scoring, as Sky Carrasquillo darted through the eight-meter to up the lead to two. Yale’s attack was sharp, rapidly passing the ball around the perimeter to find the best look for its cutters.

As the third quarter wore on, both offenses found their way. Johns Hopkins had a quick resurgence with two straight goals, including a low, twisting goal from Ava Angello to make it 6-5 with 3:20 left in the third quarter. But Yale answered with two of its own to hold a 7-6 lead entering the final frame.

Defense stole the show in the game’s waning minutes. The Blue Jays’ attack upped the pressure, extending possessions and settling in. But Yale’s No. 3 scoring defense proved stifling. The Bulldogs were vigilant, quick to identify threats to keep Johns Hopkins at arm’s length. Their pressure led to multiple costly turnovers for the Blue Jays.

When Yale gained possession with a minute and a half left, Hopkins’ defenders pressured the Bulldogs out and knocked down multiple passes. Their efforts came too late, however, as the Bulldogs hung onto their two-goal lead and closed the door on Hopkins’ season.

Yale has plenty to celebrate after reaching the NCAA quarterfinals — one of two Ivy League programs to do so (Penn). The chalk held in Yale’s pod, meaning it will face No. 3 Syracuse on Thursday. The programs last squared off in the first round of the 2003 NCAA tournament, with the Bulldogs winning 12-7.