Top-ranked Jays clip Cavs

Huntley, Schwartzman star in 9-7 win against No. 2 Virginia

College lacrosse

Johns Hopkins goalkeeper Jesse Schwartzman posted a career-high 20 saves, and freshman attackman Kevin Huntley scored all three of his goals in a six-minute span in the fourth quarter to lift the No. 1 Blue Jays to a 9-7 victory over second-ranked Virginia in front of 8,321 fans at Homewood Field Saturday afternoon.

The win, the 30th straight at home for Johns Hopkins, improves the Blue Jays' record to 5-0. Virginia fell to 6-1.

The Blue Jays led 6-5 lead at the end of the third quarter when Huntley scored the first of his three goals at the 12:08 mark of the fourth quarter off an assist from senior Peter LeSueur. After Virginia's Matt Ward (Oakton, VA/Landon) drew the Cavaliers to within 7-6 with his fourth goal of the game, Huntley gave the Blue Jays some breathing room with two goals just 70 seconds apart.

Freshman midfielder Paul Rabil got Hopkins going with back-to-back unassisted goals midway through the opening quarter, putting the Jays in front 2-0. Senior Greg Raymond made it 3-0, but the Cavaliers close the half on a 4-1 run to make it 4-4 at halftime.

LeSeur and Kyle Harrison scored second-half goals for Hopkins before Huntley's run later in the half. Schwartzman posted six saves in the final period to help preserve the Blue Jays' 24th win in the their last 25 regular season games.

Johns Hopkins returns to action next Saturday when it visits North Carolina. Virginia will host ACC rival Maryland next Saturday at 1 p.m.

Originally published March 26, 2005, 5:58 PM EST