BRIDGEPORT, Pa. -- Johns Hopkins University center Mark Strickland (Fr., Houston, Texas/Strake Jesuit) scored twice with four ejections drawn in a 12-11 loss to No. 19 Brown University and netted a goal with a pair of ejections drawn in a 9-8 upset of No. 11 the United States Naval Academy at the Princeton Invitational to be named the September 15 Collegiate Water Polo Association Southern Division Rookie of the Week.

Against Brown, he drilled back-to-back shots into the cage to tie the game at 11-11 before
the Bears rallied in the closing minute to hold off Hopkins.  Versus Navy in Hopkins' first win against the Midshipmen in program history, Strickland scored twice and drew two ejections as the Blue Jays took advantage of their man-up opportunities, going 7-of-15, to upset Navy. Leading 6-5 at the half, Hopkins matched Navy goal-for-goal in the second half to take the win.

Strickland and the Blue Jays will have a chance to go 2-0 against Navy on September 17 as Hopkins travels to the Naval Academy for an 8:00 p.m. game against the Midshipmen in the CWPA Southern Division, Eastern Region opener for both teams. 

The Blue Jays will continue the week by journeying north to Cambridge, Mass. to take part in the 2008 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship at Harvard University on September 20-21.