Harvard earned its third win over a top-20 opponent Friday night, taking down No. 10/11 Dartmouth, 7-5 (Gil Talbot).

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard women's lacrosse team scored six second-half goals en route to a 7-5 win over No. 10/11 Dartmouth Friday night at Harvard Stadium.

The win, coupled with Princeton's loss to Penn on Wednesday, secures the Crimson a spot in the Ivy League Tournament for a second straight year. The Quakers will host the tournament beginning May 4 in Philadelphia, Pa., with the final seedings to be determined based on tomorrow's results.

Dartmouth (10-4, 5-2 Ivy League) went on the offensive early but a pair of saves by Kelly Weis kept the Big Green off the board. Dartmouth finally broke through with 13:01 to play in the half off the stick of Sarah Parks for a 1-0 lead. Harvard (9-6, 5-2 Ivy League) answered with a goal by Jennifer VanderMeulen to even the game before a Liz Calby score gave the Big Green a 2-1 advantage at the break.

Dartmouth took a 3-1 lead less than one minute into the second half but back-to-back goals by Melanie Baskind retied the game at 3-3. The Big Green went on top once more, 4-3, before three straight goals by the Crimson put Harvard on top for the first time on the night. Micaela Cyr scored twice to begin the run off assists from VanderMeulen, and Danielle Tetreault capped it off for a 6-4 margin.

The Big Green brought the score to within one, 6-5, as Calby tallied her second goal with 5:59 remaining. Dartmouth came away with the ensuing draw control and had an opportunity to even the score, but Sarah Plumb's shot was stopped by Weis to preserve the lead. Plumb had yet another chance to tie it with under 3:00 to play and this her free position attempt was blocked, all but sealing the victory. VanderMeulen added the final goal with just 0:08 on the clock, capitalizing on a Dartmouth turnover caused by Kyleigh Keating.

VanderMeulen (2g, 2a) led all scorers with four points while Baskind and Cyr added two goals apiece. Harvard held a 21-19 advantage in shots and a 9-5 edge in draw controls, while converting 12-of-15 clear attempts.

Weis finished the night with nine saves, marking the seventh time this season she has recorded at least eight in a game. Keating came up with three draw controls, two ground balls and one caused turnover, with Weis notching a game-high four ground balls.

Harvard has now won five straight games overall and five straight in Harvard Stadium. The Crimson has held five opponents to five or fewer goals and 11 of its 15 opponents to fewer than 10.

Game Notes: Harvard will begin play in the 2012 Ivy League Tournament Friday, May 4 in Philadelphia Pa. … Harvard has won five straight games overall and five straight in Harvard Stadium … Harvard has held five opponents to fewer than five goals and 11 of its 15 opponents to fewer than 10 … Friday's victory marked the Crimson's third win over a top-20 opponent this season … Melanie Baskind has scored at least one goal in 10 straight games … Kelly Weis has recorded at least eight saves in seven games.