Hopkins Freshmen a Reminder of Impactful Class Two Decades Ago

Matt Collison could see it coming in the fall.

The senior midfielder noticed repeatedly how much of a contribution Johns Hopkins could get from its freshman class. And just as significantly, it was clear the Blue Jays could have plenty of their newcomers on the field.

That came to pass Monday, when Hopkins started three freshmen in a season opener for the first time since 2002 as it drubbed Robert Morris 17-2.

“That group’s awesome,” Collison said. “The whole class, obviously, just stepped in and fit into campus and fit into our group right away. It was pretty seamless. Seeing those guys out there makes me feel a little nostalgic, [makes me] reminisce, think back to myself in their shoes. I tried to give the best advice before the game to just go out there and be themselves and enjoy every moment.”

There was a lot to savor in the delayed debut on a cold weekday afternoon at Homewood Field. Max Wickersham got the nod on attack and scored a first-quarter goal. Parker Sorenson earned a starting role on a close defense that helped limit the Colonials to six shots on goal in the first three quarters.

And in goal was Dash Lamitie, who stopped four shots in 45 minutes before giving way to Oran Gelinas, a junior who started the back half of last season.

“I’m just glad my number got called and I got to come out here and represent all the hard work we’ve done,” Lamitie said.

The contributions went well beyond the starters. David Disque ran on the second midfield line and had an assist. Alexander Swinnie was 3 of 6 on faceoffs. Attackman Ollie Nolting provided a late assist.

And considering Hopkins’ relative inexperience coming off a 6-8 season — Collison is the only senior among the Blue Jays’ starting attack and top two midfield lines — there are likely to be opportunities for freshmen well beyond an opening blowout.

“They’re getting a chance to get some experience, and early in their careers,” head coach Peter Milliman said. “Some positives, some learning experiences there, but I was proud of them. I thought they did well and competed hard.”

Lamitie is the first freshman goalie to start an opener for Hopkins since Jesse Schwartzman in 2004. Schwartzman went on to become a cornerstone of the Blue Jays’ national title teams in 2005 and 2007.

As for who was on the field the last time Hopkins started three freshmen in an opener, it was actually a quartet of newcomers in that March 2, 2002, opener at Princeton: Attackmen Kyle Barrie and Peter LeSueur, midfielder Kyle Harrison and defenseman Chris Watson.

Harrison won a Tewaaraton Award in 2005. He and Barrie were first-team All-America selections. And Harrison, LeSueur and Watson started on Memorial Day in 2005 as Hopkins ended an 18-year title drought in the final game of their college careers.

It’s far too early to project similar career trajectories for this batch of Blue Jays freshmen, though it’s not too soon to recognize they’re capable of helping Hopkins this season.

“They bought in all the way to what we’re preaching here, coming down from the coaching staff and our leaders,” defenseman Quintan Kilrain said. “They really bought in and they’re pushing for time and you saw that. We’re excited for them, but we have a lot more to prove.”