Johns Hopkins University women’s field hockey defeated 12th-ranked Franklin & Marshall, 2-1, on Nov. 5, 2026, at Homewood Field in Baltimore to reach the Centennial Conference championship. Sophia Albano scored both goals for Johns Hopkins, which improved to 15-4.
Sophia Albano Gives Johns Hopkins the Lead
Albano opened the scoring 2:27 into the second quarter as Johns Hopkins capitalized in transition. Ava Zimmerman intercepted a pass near midfield and found Kaitlin Coward, who sent the ball forward to Albano. Albano beat Franklin & Marshall goalkeeper Megan Dole with a low shot.
Albano added her second goal midway through the third quarter. Caeli Robinson fired a low shot after a Johns Hopkins penalty corner, and Albano redirected the attempt into the cage to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead.
The two-goal performance tied Albano’s career high. It also marked the first multi-goal game in the Centennial Conference tournament since Lila Slattery scored twice on Nov. 9, 2024. Albano’s goals were her sixth and seventh of the season.
Franklin & Marshall Cuts the Deficit
Franklin & Marshall answered with 2:45 remaining in the third quarter. After Jessica Lapidus made a save and Bella Konchar had a shot blocked, Hannah Fitzgerald collected the rebound and scored to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Lapidus made another save 84 seconds later, and Franklin & Marshall drew three penalty corners in the fourth quarter. The Diplomats managed one shot during that stretch, but Johns Hopkins protected its one-goal advantage.
Johns Hopkins held a 9-8 edge in shots and a 5-4 advantage in corners. Aubrey Kilgore played the first half, while Lapidus made three saves after halftime. Dole finished with four saves for Franklin & Marshall, which fell to 14-5.
Johns Hopkins Advances to the Centennial Championship
The victory sent Johns Hopkins to the Centennial Conference championship for the ninth consecutive year and the 17th time overall. Johns Hopkins was scheduled to play the winner of Swarthmore and Ursinus at noon on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Homewood Field.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Johns Hopkins University women’s field hockey received all of its scoring from Albano in a close semifinal. Her second goal provided the difference after Franklin & Marshall pulled within one, while Johns Hopkins’ advantages in shots and corners helped the Blue Jays reach the championship.
Source: Original report
