Box Score ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Sophomore
Avery Donahue's overtime game-winning goal lifted No. 12 Harvard field hockey (16-1, 7-0 Ivy League) to a 1-0 victory over No. 6 Louisville (16-4, 6-0 ACC) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at the University of Michigan.
After a pass from senior captain
Mimi Tarrant, Donahue's shot from the left side of the circle found the back of the net 5:24 into the first overtime frame, sending the Crimson to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the second time in program history.
Junior goalkeeper
Ellie Shahbo made three saves, and Harvard had a 6-4 edge in penalty corners and a 10-7 margin in shots.
In a tightly played first half, Harvard had a handful of scoring chances, including two penalty corners in the second quarter. On the second penalty corner at 24:20,
Hannah Pearce's shot flew just wide of the net.
Shahbo made two great saves in the first half, the first on a redirection from five yards out that she kicked away.
Shahbo's second save came on Aimee Plumb's penalty corner shot from the left side with under two minutes remaining in the second quarter.
In the third quarter, Harvard had a great chance as
Olivia Hoover's redirection sailed just wide of the net. Shahbo had another great stop in the third quarter on a sequence of two penalty corners for Louisville.
The game remained scoreless after the final 15 minutes of regulation, sending the game to OT.
Harvard Highlights
- Sophomore Avery Donahue scored her second game-winning overtime goal of the season (also scored game-winner on Sept. 12 vs. Monmouth) and has five goals on the season.
- Senior captain Mimi Tarrant recorded her team-leading 10th assist of the year
- Ellie Shahbo improved her record to 15-1 with a 0.38 GAA and .864 Save%
Game Notes
- Harvard has matched its best NCAA Tournament run from 2018, reaching the quarterfinal round for the second time in school history
- Harvard is also keeping pace with the 2018 team matching its best 17-game start in school history. The Crimson has won 11 games in a row.
