Baltimore, Md. - Chris Boland and John Ranagan each scored two goals, one in each half, as Johns Hopkins held off UAlbany, 11-6, on Friday, April 8 at Homewood Field. The Blue Jays, who have won five of their last six outings, are ranked No. 3 in both national polls.
     Johns Hopkins (8-2) saw a six-goal lead cut in half early in the fourth quarter when the Great Danes' Miles Thompson scored with a sidearm delivery in a man-up situation to close the gap to 9-6. UAlbany (4-6) attempted to continue the rally, but could not take advantage of its opportunities over the next nine minutes.
     The Blue Jays, who have won nine of 10 meetings in the series, finally pulled away when Ranagan collected a ground ball at midfield. His pass went off an attacker in the middle of the scoring area, but Phil Castronova picked up the loose ball and found the cage on a tough angle from the right with 5:15 to play. UAlbany attempted to double the ball defensively two minutes later, but Ranagan broke free and sent a shot to the left of reverse goalkeeper John Carroll to seal the outcome.
     In the opening quarter, the Blue Jays scored three goals over a six-minute stretch to build a 4-0 margin. Boland, who scored twice and handed out an assist, tallied a diving goal from left of the crease when he placed a shot inside the near post. The senior attacker then set up a cutting Mark Goodrich in the middle of the zone. After Pierce Bassett's save and outlet pass, Ranagan ripped a sidearm blast to the stick side of the starting goalkeeper Edmund Cathers.
     UAlbany got on the scoreboard with five seconds left in the first stanza when Rocky Bonitatibus buried a low shot into the right corner off Brian Caufield's pass. Kyle Wharton jump-started a run of three unanswered to begin the next period. He came around the right side and went low for a 5-1 advantage. The Blue Jays later scored a pair 34 seconds apart. Lee Coppersmith, the hero of last Sunday's 10-9 win over fourth-ranked North Carolina, fired in a low bounce shot from the left point. Wharton followed by moving to his left shoulder and connecting on a high shot to the far side.
     After Tim Donovan started the second half by scoring off a failed clear for an 8-2 cushion, Johns Hopkins appeared to be in firm control. But the Great Danes battled back. Joe Resetarits hit the near top corner from the right side, before defenseman Scott Raffensperger picked off a pass and finished off a transition play by finding the low right corner. Resetarits netted his third goal of the game by converting Bonitatibus' pass over the cage to get his team within 9-5 after three quarters. Bonitatibus had one goal and two assists.
     Bassett made five saves for a JHU defense that ranks third nationally in goals allowed. Goodrich had one goal and one assist for the Blue Jays, who had nine players find the scoring column. Cathers made 11 saves for the Great Danes, who have a quick turnaround with a road game at America East Conference opponent Vermont on Sunday.

Paw Prints:  UAlbany has played six top-20 opponents this season, including three top-five teams in Johns Hopkins, Syracuse and Massachusetts ... the Blue Jays have won nine NCAA national titles and have made 39 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances ... JHU coach Dave Pietramala, who was a college teammate with UAlbany coach Scott Marr, has led the Blue Jays to a 45-6 record in the month of April during his tenure ... Joe Resetarits recorded his 14th career hat trick and extended his point-scoring streak to 29 consecutive games ... Brian Caufield moved into fourth place on UAlbany's career assists list (84) ... Matt Johnson and Caufield have been added to the 2011 Tewaaraton Trophy Watch List ... Rocky Bonitatibus tied a career-high with two assists ... Scott Raffensperger scored his second goal as a collegian and tied a career-best with two caused turnovers ... Edmund Cathers has made double-figures saves against eight opponents ... the game was televised nationally on ESPNU with Joe Beninati and Mark Dixon handling the broadcast.
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#3 Johns Hopkins 11, UAlbany 6
   UAlbany - Scoring: Joe Resetarits 3-0, Rocky Bonitatibus 1-2, Miles Thompson 1-1, Scott Raffensperger 1-0, Brian Caufield 0-1; Goalkeeper(s): Edmund Cathers (55:39, 11 saves 10 GA); John Carroll (4:21, 0 saves, 1 GA).
   Johns Hopkins - Scoring: Chris Boland 2-1, Kyle Wharton 2-0, John Ranagan 2-0, Mark Goodrich 1-1, Lee Coppersmith 1-0, John Greeley 1-0, Tim Donovan 1-0, Phil Castronova 1-0; Zach Palmer 0-2; Goalkeeper(s): Pierce Bassett (60:00, 5 saves, 6 GA).

No. 3 Johns Hopkins 11, UAlbany 6 (Apr 08, 2011, Homewood Field, Baltimore, Md.)

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