NEW YORK, N.Y. – After falling behind 1-0 in the first half, No. 9 Harvard field hockey responded with seven unanswered goals, as the Crimson defeated Columbia on the road, 9-3.
The nine goals are the most scored by the Crimson in a match since 2019, when Harvard defeated Brown, 9-1, at Berylson Field. The program record for most goals in a match was set in 1989, when Harvard defeated UMass Lowell at home, 10-0.
Sophomore forward
Sage Piekarski led the line for the Crimson on the offensive, recording a hat trick on just three shots. Along with Piekarski, junior forward
Kate Oliver, senior forward
Lucy Leel, first-year forward
Emily Bronckers, sophomore midfielder
Lara Beekhuis, senior forward
Megan Joel, senior midfielder and team captain
Emily Guckian all contributed to the stellar offensive showing.
A native of Concord, Massachusetts, Piekarski is the first Crimson to a record a hat trick this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
In the closing moments of the first quarter, the hosts scored the opening goal of the contest, as Columbia (3-7, 1-3 Ivy League) took a 1-0 lead into the second quarter.
The Crimson offense ignited in the second quarter, as Harvard (10-1, 4-0 Ivy League) scored three goals in the frame. Midway through the quarter, junior defender
Bronte-May Brough fired a shot at the top of the circle off a penalty corner, as Piekarski nestled the rebound into the back of the cage, 1-1. Two minutes later, Oliver put the Crimson in front with a goal on the counterattack, as Leel capped the half off with Harvard's third goal of the quarter, 3-1.
At the end of the opening 30 minutes, the Crimson scored three goals on five shots, as Harvard held the Lions shotless in the second quarter.
The second half saw Harvard's offense continue to manufacture scoring opportunities, as the Crimson scored four goals in the third quarter. A slick move down the byline allowed Bronckers to start the scoring, as she converted a close range chance, 4-1. Just minutes later, Beekhuis and Joel scored an additional two goals, as Guckian provided Harvard a 7-2 lead heading into the fourth quarter with a penalty stroke goal.
In the third quarter alone, Harvard's offense produced 11 shots, as the defensive unit limited the hosts to just two shots in the third quarter.
Piekarski completed the hat trick in the fourth quarter, capping the Crimson's victory with a pair of stellar goals. The Crimson offense out shot Columbia, 21-7, as 14 of Harvard's attempts were on goal. Harvard recorded 20 or more shots in a game for the third time this season.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:
- Harvard scored nine goals in the victory against Columbia, the most in a match since the 2019 season and just one shy from matching the program record set in 1989.
- The Crimson recorded 21 shots against the Lions, marking the third time this season Harvard produced 20 or more shots in a single game in 2024.
- Harvard has now 13 straight Ivy League regular season contests, a run that dates back to the 2022 season.
- The Crimson also extended its winning streak to 82 games against unranked opponents.
- Piekarski scored Harvard's first hat trick of the 2024 season, the first of her collegiate career. The last hat trick by a Crimson player was recorded on Sept. 17, 2023, when Guckian scored three goals in a 5-1 win against Northeastern.
- A native of Concord, Massachusetts, Piekarski now has five goals and two assists on the season.
- Beekhuis scored her seventh goal of the season against the Lions, as the Laren, Netherlands native leads Harvard in scoring this season.
UP NEXT:
The Crimson travel to the Midwest on Sunday, Oct. 13 for a highly anticipated showdown, as Harvard faces No. 2 Northwestern for the first time since the 2021 NCAA Tournament Semifinals. The contest begins at 12 p.m. eastern standard time and will stream live on Big Ten Plus.
For all the latest on Harvard Field Hockey, follow the Crimson on Twitter (@HarvardFH)and Instagram (@harvardfieldhockey).
