CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Kyra Willoughby's first goal of the season came at an opportune time as No. 9/10 Harvard (9-3-0, 6-3-0 ECAC Hockey) won its fourth straight, escaping Rensselaer (6-13-0, 3-7-0 ECAC Hockey) in overtime on Saturday, 4-3.
 
Harvard built a 3-0 advantage before the Engineers stormed back, eventually evening the score with just under six minutes remaining in the third period. The Crimson ensured it would enter the holiday break on a positive note, however, scoring just 19 seconds into the extra session to leave Bright-Landry Hockey Center with the victory.
 
Just as it did a night ago, the Crimson got off to a blistering start, scoring two goals in the first 6:11 of the game. First it was first-year Taze Thompson continuing her productive offensive play with her third goal of the season at 1:10 in the opening period on a rebound opportunity. Just 5:01 later, junior Kristin Della Rovere deked behind the net before wrapping around to her forehand and banking the puck into the net off an Engineers' defender. 
 
At 7:54 in the second period, Harvard extended its lead by solving the nation's top penalty-killing unit. With Rensselaer's Nyah Phillip in the box for boarding, Harvard first-year Paige Lester buried a rebound chance after RPI goalie, Amanda Rampado was caught out of position following a sprawling save on Brooke Jovanovich. Facing a three-goal deficit, the Engineers would begin to chip away by period's end, getting on the scoreboard with less than three minutes remaining in the second session on a goal by graduate student Lauren Severson. 
 
Severson struck again early in the game's final period, cutting the margin to one with a backhander past Alex Pellicci at 1:31 in the third. Rensselaer would complete the comeback on a goal from junior Maddy Peterson at 14:10, bringing the score to 3-3. Neither team was able to find a go-ahead goal in regulation, forcing extra hockey to be played. 
 
It would only take one-shot to end matters in overtime, however, with Willoughby sending Harvard triumphantly  into the holiday by beating Rampado near-post on a blast from the left circle. 
 
Harvard Highlights

• Kyra Willoughby netted her first goal of the season and the third of her career, winning the game for Harvard in overtime. 
• Kristin Della Rovere scored her fourth goal of the season, extending her active point-streak to nine games. Rovere has recorded at least one point in 10 of the Crimson's 12 games on the year. Della Rovere also had a team-high five shots on net in the game. 
• First-year netminder, Alex Pellicci picked up the third win of her career in as many starts. Pellicci started both games in goal for Harvard this weekend. 
• Dominique Petrie led the Crimson with two points in the game, tallying a pair of assists. 

Game Notes

• Harvard moves to 1-2 this year in games decided in overtime. 
• Harvard outshot Rensselaer, 39-13 on the day. The Crimson has outshot its opponent in eight of its 12 games this year. 
• Harvard won 38 of the game's 54 total draws. It is the 11th time in 12 games this season in which the Crimson has owned the faceoff advantage. 
• The Crimson went 1-5 on the power-play for the day. Harvard's lone power-play goal was just the third surrendered this season by the Engineers' penalty kill in 64 chances. 
• Harvard's penalty kill went three-for-three on the day. The Crimson has not allowed a power-play goal during its current four-game win streak. 

 
Up Next
Harvard will enjoy a few weeks off before returning to the ice, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for two games against Minnesota Duluth. Game times will be at 2 p.m. both days at Bright-Landry Hockey Center.