SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The No. 7/7 Harvard women's ice hockey team defeated Union on the road, 3-0, Saturday afternoon to secure the 2021-22 ECAC Hockey regular season title. The championship marks the Crimson's eighth ECAC regular-season crown and its first since 2015.
 
The two teams played to a scoreless tie after one period despite Harvard (21-7-1,16-5-1 ECAC Hockey) holding a 17-4 advantage in shots on goal. When the action resumed, the scoreboard remained untouched until Kristin Della Rovere found the back of the net in a power-play situation (12:27). Taze Thompson and Kyra Willoughby were credited with assists on what would end up being the game-winner. Harvard, meanwhile, continued to apply the pressure on Union for the balance of the period but was unsuccessful in adding to its lead.
 
The Crimson was finally able to create separation with 4:56 left in the third period as Emma Buckles scored on a power play off a passing sequence from Dominique Petrie and Courtney Hyland, doubling the visitors' lead. Then with 20 seconds remaining in regulation, Petrie scored an empty net goal (Brooke Jovanovich assist), securing Harvard's second consecutive victory.

Harvard Highlights

• For the first time since 2015, Harvard captured the Ivy League title, Beanpot championship and ECAC Hockey regular-season title .
• Kyra Willoughby, who had a career-high three assists in yesterday's win vs. Rensselaer, added another this afternoon.
• Kristin Della Rovere notched one point, giving her 99 for her career. She is looking to become the 26th player in program history to reach the 100-point mark.
• Della Rovere tied a career high with her 37th point of the season. She also had 37 during her sophomore year in 2019-20.
• Della Rovere led Harvard with 11 shots on goal and 15 faceoff wins.
• Captain Emma Buckles scored her seventh goal of the season, the most among Harvard defenders. 
• Lindsay Reed posted her second shutout of the season, giving her six in her collegiate career.

Game Notes

• The shutout was Harvard's sixth clean sheet of the season and second against the Dutchwomen. Harvard did not allow a goal to either Union or Princeton in two matchups with each team this year. 
• Harvard now leads all-time series vs. Union, 34-2-0, and has won seven straight meetings.
• Harvard finishes the ECAC Hockey regular season with 16 conference wins, its most since 2014-15. 
• Harvard picked up its sixth series sweep of the ECAC Hockey campaign.
• Harvard outshot Union, 57-16. It marks the Crimson's second highest shot total this season (64 vs. Saint Anselm). 
• Harvard went 38-for-64 at the faceoff circle.
• Harvard went 2-for-3 on the power-play, while killing all four of Union's chances.

Up Next

Harvard will play host to Princeton in the quarterfinals of the ECAC Hockey tournament. Game one will be Friday (Feb. 25) at 6 p.m. ET inside Bright-Landry Hockey Center.