CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Kristin Della Rovere scored just 12 seconds into overtime as No. 6/6 Harvard (22-8-1) forced a game three in its ECAC Hockey quarterfinals series against Princeton (12-16-5) with a come from behind, 2-1, win on Saturday afternoon at Bright-Landry Hockey Center. 
 
The goal also marked the 100th point of Della Rovere's collegiate career, making the junior the 26th player in program history to reach the milestone. 
 
With the victory, Harvard pulls even in the best-of-three quarterfinal series, with the decisive game three set for Sunday afternoon. 
 
The contest began with a scoreless first period of play that saw only 13 shots on goal between the two teams. Each squad was granted a single power-play chance in the opening 20 minutes, but neither the Crimson nor the Tigers managed to convert and the horn sounded for the first intermission with the score where it began. 
 
As was the case in game one, Princeton got the game's first goal on a strike from first-year Grace Kuipers four minutes onto the second period. Kuipers took a feed from Shannon Griffin in the slot and buried the puck to give the visitors the lead. That edge would stand through the period's end, but remained just a one-goal advantage thanks to a late period penalty kill by Harvard. 
 
The Crimson got the offense it was looking for early in the third period as Shannon Hollands tied the score with her fifth goal of the season. Brooke Jovanovich got the initial opportunity off a Tigers' giveaway, firing a shot that was fought off by Princeton's Rachel McQuigge. A scramble for the loose puck ensued, with Hollands eventually coming away with it and swiftly sending a shot into the back of the net. 
 
The teams traded chances for the remainder of the frame with both netminders turning away everything sent their way. Harvard's Lindsay Reed had a couple of crucial stops late in the period, including one from close range on Princeton's Shannon Griffin with just under five minutes remaining. With the tie unbroken, the game headed for a five-on-five overtime period. It was there that Della Rovere came up with the heroics. After winning the faceoff, Della Rovere received a pass from Anne Bloomer off the boards and skated in across the blue line. The center evaded a defender with some nifty stickwork and beat McQuigge with a low shot to the stick side, sending the series to game three. 

Harvard Highlights 

• Kristin Della Rovere recorded her 100th career point on a game-winning goal in overtime. Della Rovere is now the 26th player in Harvard women's ice hockey history to reach 100 points. 
• Shannon Hollands scored her fifth goal of the season, tying the game in the third period. 
• Lindsay Reed made 24 saves and allowed just one goal to move to 7-5-0 for the season. 
•  Harvard's first line of Della Rovere, Anne Bloomer and Becca Gilmore combined for 16 shots on goal in the game. 
• Bloomer, Brooke Jovanovich and Emma Buckles all picked up assists on the day.  
• Jenna MacDonald had three blocked shots to lead the team. 

Game Notes 

• The win is the first for Harvard this season when trailing entering the third period (1-6-1). 
• Harvard is now 2-2-1 in overtime games this year.
• The Crimson went 2-2 on the penalty kill. Harvard has not allowed a power-play goal by its opponent in the last four games, going a perfect 10-10 on the kill during the stretch. 
• Harvard improves to 6-1-1 this year in games following a loss.  
• Shots on goal favored Harvard 27-25 on the day. 
• The Crimson will head to game three in the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals for the second straight season. Harvard defeated Yale in three games in the 2019-20 playoffs.  
• Harvard moves to 51-36-6 vs. Princeton all-time and 7-1 against the Tigers in the ECAC Tournament. 
• The Crimson is now 51-30 overall in ECAC Tournament play all-time. 

Up Next 

Harvard and Princeton will battle for a spot in the semifinals tomorrow (Feb. 27) afternoon at 3 p.m. The game will be played at Bright-Landry Hockey Center and can be seen on ESPN+ and Stretch Internet.