Harvard is 4-0 for the first time since 2005 (Photo: Gil Talbot)

BURLINGTON, Vt. – In dramatic fashion Sunday afternoon at the Catamount Classic, freshman Ellie Cookson scored an overtime goal to give the Harvard field hockey team a 2-1 victory against Vermont. The win pushes Harvard to 4-0 on the year, the best start for the Crimson since 2005 when they also started a perfect 4-0.

The Crimson used a 19-5 shot advantage to overwhelm the Catamounts, maintaining offensive presence throughout the contest. The pressure from the Crimson offense also led to an 11-5 lead in penalty corners. Issy Davies made a pair of saves for Harvard in goal to earn credit for her fourth win of the season.

For their exceptional play this weekend, Kyla Cordrey, Cookson and Davies earned spots on the Catamount Classic All-Tournament Team.

Similar to Saturday's matchup against Maine, Harvard and Vermont spent most of the opening period in an up-and-down the field battle. In another similarity to Saturday's game, it would be Harvard that struck first, with senior Noel Painter earning her second goal of the season at the 25:16 mark. First-year Hannah Wellington worked her way through the Vermont defense firing a shot that was initially stopped, but Painter was in the right spot, collecting the rebound and finding the lower corner of the cage to send the Crimson to the half with a 1-0 lead.

Much of the second half was played in the Crimson's offensive territory, as Harvard racked up 12 shots, but could not find the back of the net. Sophomore Marissa Balleza, senior Caitlin Rea and Painter each had multiple attacks at the net, but a combination of saves by Vermont goalkeeper Lena Benwood and near misses kept it a 1-0 contest.

Harvard's inability to break through with another tally allowed Vermont, on its limited opportunities, to tie the game with a one-timer by Ashley McDonald in the 58th minute. The 1-1 score would hold until the end of the game, forcing overtime.

McDonald had the first shot in the extra frame for Vermont, but was turned away by Davies. From that point on, Harvard ramped up the pressure. Wellington and Painter each had shots at winning the game, but it would be Cookson who kept the Crimson undefeated nine minutes into overtime. The Oakville, Ontario, native made a strong move through the Vermont defense guarding the circle and fired a shot that ricocheted off the defense into the goal.

The Crimson will look to keep its winning ways going next Saturday, when it hosts Yale at Jordan Field at 1 p.m. in its Ivy League opener.