CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Harvard men's lacrosse (1-1, 0-0 Ivy) did not let the conditions slow them down in its home opener against Bucknell, battling to a 13-8 win over Bucknell (1-3, 0-0 Patriot). The Crimson kept building on an early lead, battling through snowfall and slippery turf to even its record and earn its eight consecutive victory at Jordan Field.
Owen Gaffney led the charge with four points on the attacking end, scoring three goals and dishing out an assist. Junior goalie,
Christian Barnard, locked down the net, making 17 saves while only allowing eight goals on his way to his first career win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was a cold day in Cambridge, as the teams took the field with the temperature reading 21 degrees at the time of the first faceoff.
- Sam King got it going early, scoring the Crimson's first goal on Harvard's first possession after Andrew DeGennaro won the opening draw.
- Bucknell evened the score before Harvard went on a four-goal run, headlined by a trio of goals in just 90 seconds. Hayden Cheek netted the first, giving Harvard a lead it would not surrender for the remainder of the contest. Joe Dowling and Gaffney scored back-to-back man-up goals and Nick Loring added a goal – his first of the season – to build a 5-1 lead after the first quarter.
- Bucknell threatened down the stretch in the first quarter but Christian Barnard made two saves to hold back the Bison.
- Logan Ip scored his first goal of the season five minutes into the second frame to give Harvard its first goal of the quarter.
- After a brief pause in the action due to an injured player, Andrew Perry kept building on Harvard's lead with another man-up goal. Gaffney scored his second goal of the game to boost the lead to 8-3 at 5:16 in the quarter.
- Christian Barnard was lights out in the second quarter, making six saves and allowing only two goals. Barnard also scored his first career goal in the period, scoring on a vacant Bucknell goal from the opposing 30.
- Barnard's goal made it 9-3 Harvard, a lead the team would take into halftime.
- The snow started to come down in the second half, creating even sloppier field conditions throughout the duration of the second half.
- Gaffney scored the lone Harvard goal in the third quarter, completing his hat-trick with a strike 1:03 into the action.
- Bucknell countered with a five-goal run to make the score 10-8 at the end of three quarters.
- The Crimson answered with a dominant fourth quarter performance, not allowing a single Bucknell goal.
- Loring, Cheek and Dowling all scored goals, respectively, to go on to win 13-8.
- Christian Barnard made another four saves to secure his first career win.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS
- Christian Barnard had a fantastic effort in goal for the Crimson, making 17 saves while allowing only eight goals to post a percentage of .680. Barnard also scored his first career goal in the contest.
- Owen Gaffney led Harvard with four points off three goals and an assist.
- Sam King extended his point streak to 15 games with a goal and an assist in the contest.
- Hayden Cheek, Nick Loring and Joe Dowling all contributed with two goals.
- Andrew DeGennaro had a monster day in the faceoff circle, winning 15-of-21 draws for Harvard.
- Collin Bergstrom, Hayden Cheek and Chase Yager all tied for the team lead with two caused turnovers.
- Charlie Muller scooped up four ground balls for Harvard and caused a turnover in the effort.
- The Crimson was efficient in transition, converting on 29-of-33 clear attempts today.
UP NEXT
Harvard will return to Jordan Field next weekend to continue its three-game homestand against Vermont. The tilt will take place at 1 PM on Mar. 5 on ESPN+.
