Harvard field hockey opened the 2017 campaign with a 3-0 win at UC Davis. (Gil Talbot)

DAVIS, Calif. – Playing in temperatures nearing 100 degrees, No. 20 Harvard field hockey used a dominant defensive performance to earn a 3-0 win over UC Davis in its season opener on Friday at Aggie Field Hockey Facility. Kathleen Young and Mimi Tarrant scored first half goals for the Crimson and reigning All-American Bente van Vlijmen added qa second half goal to put the game out of reach for Harvard.

Harvard outshot UC Davis 19-0 for the game, with 12 shots on goal. The Crimson scored on its first shot of the game, as Kathleen Young put Harvard ahead in the second minute of the game, her ninth career goal at 33:22.

Just over 10 minutes later, freshman Mimi Tarrant scored her first collegiate goal on a flurry in front of the net, scoring on a rebound off an initial shot by Ellie Cookson at 21:39 to make it 2-0.

In the second half Van Vlijmen, Harvard's leading returning scorer, notched her ninth career goal off a penalty corner with 14:14 to play.

Harvard Highlights:

• 10 different Harvard players fired a shot with Kathleen Young leading the way, firing six shots, all on goal.
• The Crimson earned its first shutout of the year, one season after recording five shutouts. Senior goalie Olivia Startup earned her first career shutout in net.
• Olivia Allin and Hannah Wellington added assists for the Crimson.

Game Notes:

• Harvard is 4-2 in season opening contests under head coach Tjerk van Herwaarden and 29-13-2 all-time in season opening contests since the program's first season in 1974.
• This was the first ever meeting between Harvard and UC Davis, with the Crimson now leading the series 1-0.

What's Next:
Harvard continues its California trip with games at No. 25 Pacific (Sept. 2, 2:30 p.m. ET) and No. 13 Stanford (Sept. 4, 3 p.m, ET).