A loss usually invites a good deal of introspection and even some criticism. For Johns Hopkins coach Dave Pietramala, Saturday's 13-11 setback at No. 4 North Carolina illuminated the team's identity.
"I think we have a better idea of where we are," Pietramala said Wednesday. "It was nice to play the caliber of team that Carolina is. The score was a 13-11 score, and we had plenty of opportunities that we didn't capitalize on. So we know some of our weaker areas."
Last week, Pietramala had said the game against the Tar Heels (4-0) would be a barometer for the No. 12 Blue Jays. And according to the program's all-time leader in coaching wins, North Carolina highlighted some of Hopkins' vulnerabilities. The Blue Jays have gotten off to slow starts in each of their past three games, have a tendency to make mistakes that opponents have converted into goals, and have shown an inability to take advantage of opponents' errors.
Despite those concerns, Pietramala remains optimistic about the team's promise.
"I walk away and in a loss, I still think this can be a good team," Pietramala said. "We showed for three quarters that we can play. It was a very physical game, and we can play in a very physical game. We can play with intensity. But we also learned that we weren't playing for 60 minutes, and against a good team, you can't to do that. We also learned that when we're making mistakes – and we learned what those mistakes are – opponents are capitalizing on them and when mistakes are made against us, we're not capitalizing on them. So we have to be better at limiting our mistakes and taking advantage of those that others make."
Johns Hopkins (2-2) will have a chance to continue its development when No. 18 Princeton (2-0) visits Homewood Field Saturday at 1 p.m.