PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Propelled by a spirited defensive effort, No. 11 Harvard field hockey outlasted the nation's top attacking unit in a 2-1 overtime victory against No. 5 Saint Joseph's, marking the Crimson's third win against a ranked team this season.
In the first quarter, junior defender
Bronte-May Brough assisted senior forward
Lucy Leel for the opening goal, as the Hawks equalized in the fourth quarter on a penalty stroke. In overtime, Leel sent the Crimson support into a frenzy, netting the match-winner five minutes into the overtime period.
The Crimson defense, paced by three saves from junior goalkeeper
Tessa Shahbo, held the highly touted Saint Joseph's offense to just seven shots across 65 minutes of play.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Both teams found success on the offensive end in the first quarter, as Saint Joseph's (14-3, 5-1 Atlantic 10) opened the match on the front foot. The hosts created the first big chance of the top-15 showdown at Ellen Ryan Field. Two and half minutes into the first quarter, Saint Joseph's earned its first penalty corner, as Shahbo executed an excellent stick save to deny the Hawks the opening score.
Later in the first frame, Harvard (12-3, 5-1 Ivy League) scored the opening strike, taking the initial lead. Following the Crimson's first penalty corner of the game, Brough controlled the ball at the top circle and fired a long pass into the circle. Leel, positioned in front of goal, redirected the shot into the back of the cage, 1-0.
The second quarter saw Harvard produce another scoring chance. On the lone penalty corner of the period, junior defender
Smilla Klas found fellow junior defender
Marie Schaefers at the top of the circle, as her shot flew just wide of the right post.
At the end of the first half, the Crimson recorded three shots, and limited Saint Joseph's explosive attack to just a pair of attempts across the first 30 minutes.
In the third quarter, the Crimson defense excelled, maintaining the advantage throughout the period. With just five minutes to go in the quarter, Shahbo kept Harvard in front with another spectacular diving save.
Heading into the final period of action, the Crimson sustained its 1-0 lead from the first period. After the halfway point of the fourth quarter, Harvard almost doubled its lead on two occasions, as shots from sophomore forward
Sage Piekarski and Schaefers drew saves from the Hawks' keeper.
The hosts equalized with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, as Saint Joseph's scored on a penalty stroke to level the score, 1-1.
Heading into overtime, the Crimson recorded five shots, three of them on goal, as Harvard held the hosts to just seven shots. Shahbo finished regulation with three saves.
In overtime, the Crimson prevailed after stalling a Saint Joseph's penalty corner. On the offensive end, Leel pounced on a loose ball in the circle, sending it past the hosts' keeper for the match-winner.
The Crimson ended the thrilling showdown with six shots, four of them on target. A native of London, England, Leel now has seven goals this season, netting multiple goals in a single contest for the first time this year.
HARVARD HIGHLIGHTS:
- With the win against Saint Joseph's, the Crimson now own two victories in overtime this season.
- Leel is tied for second on the team in goals this season with seven, as she scored multiple goals in a single-game for the first time this season.
- With her assist in the first quarter, Brough now has 47 points in 48 career appearances in her Crimson career.
- Harvard owns three wins against ranked opponents this season (No. 18 Wake Forest, No. 16 UConn, No. 5 Saint Joseph's).
- The victory against Saint Joseph's marks Harvard's first regular season win against a top-five team since 2018, when Harvard defeated No. 3 Princeton on the road, 3-1.
UP NEXT:
The Crimson return to Cambridge on Saturday, Nov. 2 for the 2024 regular season finale, as Harvard hosts Cornell for a noon contest. Admission to Berylson Field is free of charge and Crimson fans can stream the action live on ESPN+.
For all the latest on Harvard Field Hockey, follow the Crimson on Twitter (@HarvardFH)and Instagram (@harvardfieldhockey).
