Pictured: Cori Bassett scored Harvard's first goal at 18:51 of the first period.
Photo courtesy: Kevin Burns Photography

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Cori Bassett and Kate Buesser each notched a goal, while Laura Bellamy recorded a career-best 25 saves, but the sixth-ranked Harvard women's hockey team dropped an ECAC Hockey contest to Rensselaer, 4-2, Saturday afternoon at Bright Hockey Center.

After falling behind 2-0 on goals by Rensselaer's Laura Guillemette at 1:47 and Laura Gersten at 8:06 of the first period, Harvard (10-5-4, 8-5-2 ECAC Hockey) cut its deficit in half on an unassisted tally by Bassett with 1:09 remaining in the frame. Bassett took a shot from just inside the blue line near the right boards, as the senior scored her fourth goal of the season.

At 6:54 of the second period, Rensselaer (10-10-5, 7-4-3) grabbed its second two-goal lead of the game, as Gersten netted a goal from the left circle. Gersten's shot sailed over Bellamy's left shoulder, giving the Engineers a 3-1 lead. The Crimson enjoyed a 20-8 advantage in shots on goal during the second, but could not sneak a shot through goaltender Shannon Ramelot during the stanza.

With 3:40 remaining in the third, Jillian Dempsey eluded three defenders at center ice and carried the puck down the left side into the Rensselaer zone. Dempsey wristed a shot on goal and the puck deflected off Ramelot's left pad, creating a rebound in front. Buesser, who leads Harvard in scoring with eight goals and 23 points, tipped home the puck, making it a 3-2 game. With time winding down, the Crimson pulled Bellamy, creating an empty net and the Engineers capitalized as Alisa Harrison fired a shot from the top of the point and lighting the lamp at 19:30.

Harvard owned a 45-29 advantage in shots for the game and was 0-for-3 on the power play. The Crimson will visit ECAC Hockey and Ivy League rival Dartmouth Friday, Jan. 29 at 3:30 p.m.