CHAPEL HILL, NC – No. 9 Harvard field hockey defeated No. 6 Rutgers 2-1 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this afternoon. Harvard had stellar goaltending from Tessa Shahbo and goals from Emily Guckian and Bronte-May Brough to help send the Crimson to the elite eight. Harvard will advance and play host No. 1 UNC on Sunday at 12:00 p.m. with a spot in the final four up for grabs. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams prioritized the defensive end of the field in the first quarter as neither team was able to generate a dangerous scoring opportunity. At the end of the first quarter, the Scarlet Knights had the only shot on goal for either team through the first 15 minutes of action. 
 
The Crimson eventually scored on its first opportunity after being awarded a penalty corner. Bronte-May Brough converted on a blast to give Harvard a 1-0 lead. Brough's second quarter tally was her sixth of the year and her first since Oct. 6 against Columbia. Kate Oliver and Emily Guckian added the helpers on the Brough goal.
 
Harvard took the one-goal lead into the break. Coming out of halftime, Tessa Shahbo made a flurry of stops to protect the lead for Harvard – none better than an attempt off a Rutgers corner. After falling over the sophomore jumped up and was able to slide across to the post and bat a ball out of play. Shahbo made two other key pad stops as the third quarter winded down. 
 
Emily Guckian converted on a beautiful pass from Sage Piekarski to start the fourth quarter with a Crimson strike. Piekarski maneuvered around defenders while also managing to stay in bounds and found an unguarded Emily Guckian right in front of the net. The fourth-quarter tally gave Harvard a massive two-goal advantage heading into the final minutes. 
 
Rutgers scored with 3:24 left in the game to cut the Harvard lead to just one goal. With just under forty seconds left, Tessa Shahbo and the Crimson defense blocked one final corner attempt from the Scarlet Knights to seal the victory and send Harvard to the elite eight for the second time in three years. 
 
NEXT UP 
Harvard plays host UNC at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday with the winner returning to Karen Shelton Stadium next week to play in the final four. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.