NCAA Div. III semifinals

at Homewood Field,

Johns Hopkins No. 1 College of New Jersey (14-0) vs. No. 5 Amherst (12-2)

Time: 10: 30 a.m.

Outlook: A dynasty in Division III, the College of New Jersey has 10 national titles since 1985, including six of the last eight. The Lions have lost just one of their last 132 games -- the 1997 title game to Middlebury. They avenged that loss in last year's semifinal before going on to nip Williams College, 12-11 in overtime, for the championship. Amherst, which upset No. 4 Bowdoin 15-9 in the quarterfinals, has met the Lions just once in the tournament -- falling 19-10 in the 1996 first round. The Lions are led by Fran Constantine (49 goals, 17 assists), Megan Wilson (34, 14) and Valerie Cherill (30, 14). The Lady Jeffs are led by Kristin Osborn, who scored six goals in the win over Bowdoin. The Lions have not played any of the other final four teams this season, while Amherst lost, 11-8, to Middlebury.

No. 2 Middlebury (15-0) vs. No. 3 William Smith (15-1)

Time: Noon

Outlook: Middlebury, from central Vermont, has been a fixture in the Division III tournament, but the Panthers have come away with only the 1997 title. Every other year since 1995, they have lost to the College of New Jersey. This spring, the Panthers dealt William Smith, from Geneva, N.Y., its only loss, 18-14, but the Herons scored more goals on Middlebury than any other team. Middlebury's stellar defense, led by Garrison Forest grad- uate Missy Hopkins and goalie Katie Samson, has held opponents to an average of 7.1 goals. Heidi Howard, who scored six goals in the quarterfinal win over Salisbury State, leads the Panthers' attack. The Herons' last appearance in the final four came in 1997, when they lost in the semifinal to the College of New Jersey. They are led by Lisa Krug (53 goals, 28 assists), Sarah James (33, 20), Lindsey Doerge (33, 15) and Centennial graduate Rebecca Armiger (35, 12).

Pub Date: 5/15/99